Houston Rockets 7-footer Omer Asik was one of the few in Houston on Friday night not thrilled about the acquisition of Dwight Howard. In the wake of Howard's decision, the incumbent center for the Rockets formally asked to be traded, ESPN reports. Is there a market for Asik, or can the Rockets use two centers side-by-side on the court?
Asik started all 82 games last season and rewarded Houston by averaging a double-double, 10.1 points and 11.7 rebounds. Howard's eventual arrival to Houston guarantees Asik, who last year became the defensive anchor for the Rockets, a diminished role on the team and less playing time.
Shortly after Howard announced his decision to sign with Houston, Asik asked for a trade.
Early rumors suggested the possibility of Asik and guard Jeremy Lin being packaged together as part of a sign-and-trade with the Los Angeles Lakers. Although the Lakers have reportedly changed its tune, the team is still believed to be willing to let Howard walk to reap the resultant cap space and prepare for next summer's free agent class.
A sign-and-trade deal for Howard with Los Angeles benefits Houston. The Rockets, however, have turned down offers for Asik and will continue to do so, according to ESPN sources, which suggests the Lakers are inclined to let Howard walk.
If Asik stays in Houston, the Rockets then have a starting-caliber backup for Howard. It also creates the possibility of Rockets coach Kevin McHale playing two centers on the court at the same time. Houston would have incredible size in the paint, along with arguably one of the best defensive and rebounding tandems in the league.
"You do play two bigs," McHale told reporters on Sunday. "You have to get spacing and you have to make sure your small guys have got to make sure they keep the court spaced."
James Harden and Chandler Parsons can create the kind of spacing needed to play two center on the floor.
McHale said he could see potential lineups featuring Asik and Howard together, citing the Rockets' lineups in the 1980s of Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson. But McHale did concede Asik would primarily be Howard's backup.
If Asik remains on the team, McHale will have to smooth things over with the disgruntled player.
"With Omer, he had a great year for us last year and really became one of the top centers in the league," McHale said. "It's just when you have an opportunity to get Dwight, it's hard not to. I'm sure Omer right now is a little down in the dumps, but we'll pick him up."
