The Houston Rockets reportedly prefer to trade Omer Asik to the Atlanta Hawks for Paul Millsap. With the Rockets' self-imposed deadline one day away, however, the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers remain the top suitors for the 7-footer.
Houston wants Millsap because of how the forward would complement Howard in the frontcourt. The Rockets contacted the Hawks about trading Asik for Millsap, but Atlanta is "lukewarm" on the idea because of the $15 million Asik is due next season, according to what sources told Marc Stein and Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
If the Rockets are unable to reach an agreement with the Hawks by Thursday, it's believed Asik will go to Philadelphia or Boston, who've recently emerged as contenders for the Turk.
Houston wants a first-round pick, which may be a hold up for any potential deal. 76ers center Spencer Hawes, according to ESPN, is the preferred player to be swapped for Asik in a trade with Philadelphia. Hawes, who's on an expiring contract, can provide better offense than Asik when coming off the bench for Dwight Howard or playing beside him.
76ers forward Thaddeus Young has also been mentioned, although the Rockets are uncertain about picking up the 25-year-old's contract, which runs through the 2015-16 season with a $9.97 million player option.
For a potential trade with Boston, ESPN reported the Rockets are eying Brandon Bass, whose contract expires after the 2014-15 season. Jeff Green is also considered a possibility in a deal for Asik, but, like with Young, Houston is hesitant to pick up another contract with two more seasons on it.
Speculation is shifting toward the idea of a third team becoming involved in the trade if Young or Green is part of the trade. With the contract of Rockets forward Chandler Parsons expiring after the 2014-15 season, Houston would need a third team to take on Young or Green's contract so Houston can re-sign Parsons in July 2015.
