The Houston Rockets are looking like one of the best teams in the west this season and as the trading deadline gets closer in February, the team will continue to get mentioned because of Omer Asik and while a deal to the To Boston Celtics, Portland Trail Blazers or Chicago Bulls or New Orleans Pelicans once seemed possible, it's now more likely that GM Daryl Morey will keep the center.
The Rockets have been mentioned as a team that could be active at the deadline with Asik and this comes after the star reportedly asked multiple times for a trade after the signing of Dwight Howard. The team tried to use both on the floor at the same time, but that did not end up working out for coach Kevin McHale and now Asik is a marginalized player with two years left on his deal. The team was close to a move with the Boston Celtics and that nearly went through and now he has not played in a month and it appears that the Rockets may end up holding onto him instead.
According to Pro Basketball Talk and ESPN.com, the Rockets are likely to keep Asik as the trade deadline gets closer, as Morey said the team made an attempt to deal him, but now they probably will keep him until the end of his contract. The Rockets did not want to give him up for less than they originally set for themselves and while Morey said he understands that Asik wants to be a starter, but this is the game they are playing and Morey did not want to let him go just to make a deal.
Asik has not played since back in December and his stats have taken a huge tumble from last season when he averaged a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds. A number of teams still could be in the mix for him, but now it's more likely that the Rockets will hang onto him and hope that they can turn things around regarding Asik and Howard in the playoffs.
Asik has a $8.3 million per year contract over the next two seasons and while that isn't too big of a number, teams will not be willing to give up talent or picks if they don't feel Asik will be worth it. The Rockets have a solid bench and they could use to get that deeper heading into the playoffs.
