The Houston Rockets will reportedly trade Omer Asik by Dec. 19. Cleveland Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao, who'd be a better complement to Dwight Howard, is the latest name attached to a potential trade for Asik, according to TNT's David Aldridge.
"Rockets will trade Asik next Wednesday or Thursday. And do not discount Cleveland/Varejao," Aldridge tweeted on Thursday. "Would be perfect fit next to Howard."
Aside from Aldridge's report, it's uncertain the level of interest Cleveland has in trading for Asik. The Cavaliers also have Andrew Bynum, who's made strides this month in his recovery from multiple knee injuries; he's averaging 13.8 points and 8.5 rebounds in 23.8 minutes per game during the month of December.
The Philadelphia 76ers have also been mentioned as a potential trade partner with the Rockets, who could be eying 76ers forward Thaddeus Young in exchange for the 7-foot Turk.
"Keep your eye on Philadelphia," ESPN's Marc Stein wrote on Sunday. "Front-runner would be overstating it, but the notion that the Sixers are a viable destination for Asik is increasingly making the rounds. And that certainly makes sense given (A) Philly's front office is run by a certified Asik fan in former Rockets exec Sam Hinkie and (B) Philly has a frontcourt player to send back to Houston in Thaddeus Young, whose skill set can click with Dwight Howard's, albeit not as well as seemingly unattainable dream target Ryan Anderson; and (C) there really isn't an Asik for Philly to draft with the high pick it's likely to snag in the 2014 lottery."
Asik requested trades multiple times since the Rockets signed Howard in the offseason. Multiple news outlets, including ESPN and Yahoo! Sports, reported the Rockets intend to trade the disgruntled Asik between Dec. 15 and Dec. 19.
One holdup to acquiring Asik, a proven defender, may be his contract. He's due $5.2 million this season, but his contract skyrockets to a guaranteed $14.8 million next season.
