The Houston Rockets are currently quiet about their plans heading into the annual NBA trade deadline, but recent reports indicated that the team will be active in the coming weeks.
Basketball Insiders reported that the Rockets will attempt to trade Omer Asik before the deadline despite earlier statement from general manager Daryl Morey that the disgruntled center will likely stay put beyond the deadline.
The Rockets are aware that the value is Asik at this point is way lower than his trade value in December, but the Rockets are still reportedly determined to part ways with 27-year-old center.
Sources added that the Rockets are interested in acquiring Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young via a trade package involving Asik. However, the 76ers might not be interested in acquiring Asik since they already have a defensive-minded big man in rookie Nerlens Noel.
Aside from Young, the Rockets are also high on Milwaukee Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova, who could be dealt by the struggling team before the deadline.
Ilyasova, who is averaging 10.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game this season, has been inconsistent all-season long, but the Rockets view him as a good stretch four partner to All-Star center Dwight Howard.
"There has been talk all season that Houston has eyes for forward Ersan Ilyasova. His numbers on the season have been less than stellar and he is owed a ton of money. It's unclear if the Bucks would take on one of Houston's ugly cash contracts in order to get out from under Ilyasova but that's the one to really watch. Milwaukee seems open for business," Basketball Insiders noted.
One possible hurdle in any deal involving Asik is his bloated contract. The fourth-year center is set to earn $15 million in the final year of three-year back-loaded deal with the Rockets. Sources said that teams are not willing to pay that much for a defensive-minded center like Asik.
Aside from his "poison pill" contract, teams who are looking to acquire Asik are also interested in seeing him play first before negotiating with the Rockets.
Asik, who is only averaging 4.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game this season, has not played since December due to a thigh injury, but it is widely believed that the center was tagged as inactive due to his long-standing trade demand.
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