The Houston Rockets consider themselves the biggest winners in free agency after signing Dwight Howard to a contract, but one player wasn't so happy about the deal, as center Omer Asik has asked for a trade following the news.
Asik said that he wanted out of Houston because he feels that playing backup to or with Dwight Howard will not work and while the Rockets have said that a deal won't happen, that could change if the right one comes along. According to Bleacher Report, a deal the Rockets should consider is one with the New Orleans Pelicans for Ryan Anderson, as that could help both teams with pressing issues that they have.
The Rockets love Asik and his production after what he did last season, but a unhappy player is sort of a waste and Houston will need some size to make up for it. On the Pelicans side, they dealt Robin Lopez away in the deal for Tyreke Evans, so they need some more size on the roster and replacing a talented player like Lopez with someone like Asik could be appealing. The Pelicans are trying for a quick turnaround and after adding Evans and Jrue Holiday, they could try and swing a deal for Asik as well.
Lopez is now in Portland and even though Asik is under contract for two years and $20 million, the team could deal him if the price is right. Howard and James Harden want the Rockets to keep Asik, but the money and the unhappiness could add up to a trade. Anderson is more of a forward and while he could play some center, the Rockets won't need that much with Howard there anyway and he would come over after a very solid season of 16.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
Asik has developed into one of the most consistent centers in basketball after averaging a career high 10.1 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.7 blocks in 82 games started and even though he could win a championship with Howard, he would rather continue starting in the league. Adding Asik to a lineup that includes Anthony Davis, Austin Rivers, Evans and Holiday would be very intriguing and the Pelicans would love to do the deal, as it would make their rebuilding process move along even quicker.
Rockets coach Kevin McHale said that the team has no plans to trade Asik, but that could change depending on how the offseason goes as well as the summer league. If no teams make an offer they like, the Rockets can sit tight and possibly trade him during the season or they could hold onto him for the duration of his contract.
