Omer Asik is set to return to the court this coming week after missing time for injury. Being cleared for practice could not come at a better time considering the NBA trade deadline is just a few weeks away. With the Houston Rockets continuing to dangle the unhappy center to potential teams, could the New York Knicks be buyers before Feb. 20?
General manager Daryl Morey had Asik on the market for several weeks before announcing he was "no longer available" and the team was prepared to retain him for the remainder of the season. However, as the deadline closes in, guess who getting attention once again?
The Rockets would love to trade away Asik and the center would not mind a change in scenery as well. The issue is that he is owed $15 million next season and is set to be an $8.7 million hit to the cap. Morey has yet to find an offer that he feels satisfied with, but the Knicks could be the team that makes the deadline offer to win him over.
ESPN's David Thrope suggests the Knicks could be the team that makes the last minute offer on Asik to take him off the Rockets' hands. The team has been searching for depth in the front court as several injuries have plagued the team in recent weeks. With Amar'e Stoudemire, Kenyon Martin and Metta World Peace in and out of the lineup, Asik would be a welcomed presence.
The issue for the Knicks is putting together a worthy package considering they have very few assets they can afford to part with. Thorpe suggests Tim Hardaway Jr. would be a lock to get traded for the center. The reporter also notes that Tyson Chandler could be included if another player like Jeremy Lin was included. That is essentially crazy talk considering the Rockets have no use for Chandler and the Knicks would officially tank without him.
Morey is asking for a lot in exchange for Asik. The general manager originally wanted a first-round draft pick and an impact player for the center. The Knicks simply cannot put that type of package together so while they desperately need help in that position area, the team will have to look at other options before the deadline.
