Houston Rockets center Omer Asik reportedly renewed his request to be traded. The "Twin Towers" experiment with Dwight Howard failed, making Asik a valuable asset for Houston to acquire what it needs: a power forward. Trading Asik for New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson or Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried makes the most sense.
Two sources told the Houston Chronicle on Thursday that Asik has asked the team to be traded. The 7-footer, who started every game last season for Houston, has seen his minutes reduced this week after coach Kevin McHale opted to no longer play both Asik and Howard together.
Neither Asik nor his agent, Andy Miller, would comment on the trade request.
"I would say the situation is very frustrating right now, and we're trying to work through it," Miller said, via The Chronicle. "For Omer, the objective has always been to continue to develop and grow as a player. That's why we came to Houston in the first place. If that objective can't be met, if we can't get the right platform to grow and contribute as a player, it's certainly frustrating."
Should the Rockets choose to shop Asik, the team has the possibility of acquiring a playmaker at the power forward position. Trading Asik to the Pelicans for Anderson would make sense for both teams.
Asik would give New Orleans size in their frontcourt, and rising-star Anthony Davis could move to the 4-spot. For Houston, acquiring Anderson would give the team another scoring option. Anderson can also space the floor (.384 three-point range), which would open up the paint more for Howard to work in.
Anderson is due $8.3 million for 2013-14 and is under contract until 2016; Asik makes $5.2 million this season and $14.9 million the next.
Another possibility is sending Asik to Denver for Faried. The 23-year-old brings high energy and production (10.6 PPG, 9.1 RPG this season), and Javale McGee, who's out indefinitely with a stress fracture in his leg, isn't the answer at center. Although Denver appears willing to part with Faried (see: Knicks), a third team would likely need to become involved to offset the difference in salaries.
Asik is a defensive anchor and wants to start for somebody. McHale hasn't ruled out the possibility of him starting again for Houston - if the matchup dictates it.
