The Houston Rockets have tried to trade both Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin multiple times this year after acquiring Dwight Howard in the offseason. Both signed large contract deals upon joining the team and now Daryl Morey cannot get a single team to take them on. After toying with multiple deals over the past two months, it now appears both players will remain in Houston, at least for this season.
Lin and Asik both signed matching three-year, $25.1 million contracts. The Rockets had salary cap space to spare and spread out their salaries which balloon to $15 million in the final year of the deals. This has pretty much locked the Rockets into being forced to keep both players since everyone is financially strapped at this point in the season.
Asik's value has continued to decrease since the season began. Originally seen as a potential elite big man in the offseason, the presence of Howard has ended that. Asik is no longer a starter having appeared in just 17 of a possible 39 games. He is playing just 18.3 minutes a game while averaging just 4.4 points and 6.8 rebounds. Both of those numbers have significantly dropped since last season. He has requested a trade multiple times, but the Rockets cannot seem to get a deal together.
Lin has not faced as many rumors as Asik over recent weeks, but there is interest from multiple teams in need of backcourt help. However, according to Sporting News, the Rockets are the ones not keen on striking up negotiations. The point guard is averaging career-highs in shooting and three-point percentage. He thriving as a sixth man while also sharing time as a starter with often-injured Patrick Beverly. Lin appears to have some value for Houston, while Asik does not.
Rockets head coach Kevin McHale told reporters on Monday that he really did not know what the status of Asik was. Houston looked to almost have a deal with the Boston Celtics at one point. There were talks of a package that included sending the center to the Celtics in exchange for Brandon Bass and Courtney Lee. However, that deal died and Lee was sent elsewhere, ending Boston's interest.
Could Asik still be dealt before the deadline? Anything is certainly possible. The Rockets will likely have to lower their expectations for what they can receive in return for the dipping big man. While the team wanted quality in return, Asik no longer represents that.
