Trade talks between the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets are heating up. Boston is prepared to offer Brandon Bass, Courtney Lee and a first-round draft pick for Omer Asik, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports.
"The Boston Celtics are gaining traction in talks to acquire Houston center Omer Asik, league sources tell Yahoo sports," Wojnarowski tweeted Wednesday afternoon. "Serious talks on the Boston-Houston package for Asik have included Brandon Bass, Courtney Lee and a 1st round pick, sources tell Yahoo.
"If such a package were to come together, it is unclear if Lee would go to Rockets or be routed to a third team."
Boston recently emerged as a top suitor for the 7-footer, who's expected to be traded by Houston before Friday. Although Jeff Green had been mentioned as a possible component in the trade, ESPN's Marc Stein and Brian Windhorst reported Houston would rather acquire Bass, who has a more complementary skill set to Dwight Howard and a shorter contract.
It's uncertain if a third team is involved in the trade.
The Philadelphia 76ers are considered to be Boston's biggest competition for Asik. Stein reported last week that Houston was interested in acquiring 76ers center Spencer Hawes, whose contract expires at the end of the season. Hawes would backup Howard and can score better than Asik in the occasions he plays alongside Howard.
Houston, above all else, covets Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap. Although the Rockets contacted Atlanta, the Hawks were "lukewarm" about acquiring Asik because of the $15 million the center is due next season, according to ESPN.
Cleveland Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao was also linked to a potential Asik deal, although it's believed Cleveland is only interested in helping facilitate a trade, not actually acquire Asik.
Citing Cleveland's desire to upgrade at the 3-spot, ESPN reported sources as saying a possible trade could include Asik going to Boston, Green going to Cleveland and at least one future first round pick from Boston going to Houston.
Houston set a self-imposed deadline of Dec. 19 to trade Asik.
