The Houston Rockets have been one of the best teams in the western conference this season and as the trade deadline gets closer, it's possible that the team explore a deal with Omer Asik for either Rajon Rondo or Kyle Lowry with the Boston Celtics or the Toronto Raptors.
Lowry has been mentioned in trade talks numerous times already this season and while the Raptors are playing well, the team does not want to see the point guard leave as a free agent next season for nothing. The Raptors are first in the Atlantic and are looking like a playoff team and Masai Ujiri must deal with those expectations and his plans about rebuilding and Lowry could be a part of that. The Celtics have steadfastly denied they are deadline Rondo, but as the trade deadline gets closer they could get a deal they like and this comes after the two teams engaged in talks earlier in the season.
Asik comes in asking for a trade after the Rockets signed Dwight Howard and the team has basically marginalized him and now he is averaging half of what he did last season. The Rockets are looking like a strong team, but they would be championship favorites with someone like Rondo and Lowry could be a good option as well. Jeremy Lin has been a solid player for the team this season but the Rockets would love to have someone like Rondo and he is a great playmaker and a champion already.
The Raptors have already traded away Rudy Gay and the team got better, so Ujiri has that in his back pocket and as the deadline gets closer Houston is expecting to get more calls about Asik. Last season he was one of the best centers in basketball and averaged 10 points and 11 rebounds and now he is wasting away on the bench and the team may look to deal him. Daryl Morey said that Asik likely will remain with the team through his contract but that could change over the next couple weeks.
The Celtics have some important decisions to make as well and while they want to keep Rondo, Danny Ainge may get an offer he can't refuse. The Rockets would love to add a top point guard to the team and heading into the deadline they may just do that.
