The Houston Rockets Are Ready To Trade Omer Asik

The Houston Rockets Are Ready To Trade Omer Asik

(Fantasy Basketball) Most of NBA analysts and knowledgeable Houston Rockets fans saw this coming. Omer Asik is reportedly ready to be shipped out of Houston, with the Rockets now in seek for the best possible trade. Asik had previously requested for a trade, after the team landed Dwight Howard during the summer, which was rejected.

The incompatibility of Asik and Howard up to this point of the season is obvious. No matter how much effort did the Head Coach of the team, Kevin McHale, put into making those two works together, things couldn’t get in sync. And could this be different?

Both Howard and Asik are players that heavily rely their game on offense in scoring close to the rim. Both of them are harmless almost 10 feet out of the basket. Sooner than later it became obvious that they simply couldn’t co-exist in the lineup for the Houston Rockets. On the contrary, the Rockets could use a stretch four, with a decent jump shot and the ability to space the floor. Not only would that provide an extra scoring option for the team, but that would also give the opportunity to Howard to be the player he wants to be and play as he knows best.

Now, after Kevin McHale’s decision to demote Asik from a starter to a reserve, it seems that a red line is crossed. The 7-footer center out of Turkey had made it clear that he wouldn’t accept to play behind Howard nor was he willing to play alongside of him. Eventually, he was proven right. This system wouldn’t work.

After starting in the first eight games of the season, Asik has not appeared in the last two games. The team now believes that it will have its center back for Tuesday’s game against the Boston Celtics. Asik feels very disappointed with the evolution of his role in the team according to sources close to the team.

Now, the Rockets are studying all trade scenarios. One of them wants Asik being sent to New Orleans in exchange for Ryan Anderson. This is a deal the two teams had previously discussed during the summer but the deal never came to an agreement. Houston’s general manager Daryl Morey might want to have another look at this scenario.

Another possible trade according to league sources states that the Boston Celtics would be willing to give away Rajon Rondo and receive Asik and Jeremy Lin as an exchange. That trade would significantly upgrade the starting lineup of the Rockets, which will also include James Harden, Chandler Parsons and Dwight Howard.

Houston has also discussed with the Washington Wizards, in a potential trade that would include Emeka Okafor. However, the Wizards finally traded for Marcin Gortat.

Sooner or later, the Houston Rockets are expected to find the trade they are looking for and trade away their center. Apart from an impact player, the Rockets might also be interested in a first-round pick.

Posted by Andre Monohan on Thursday November 21 2013, 4:28 AM EST. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Entertainment. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0