It’s almost trade day, and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen so much buzz surrounding the trade of an offensively inept big man. Such is the case in the new NBA.
Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that four teams including the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, and Philadelphia 76ers are the front runners to land Asik in a deal between Wednesday or Thursday.
Another team, deemed a “wildcard” by one league source, has teetered on the edge of negotiations and could become more seriously involved before the Rockets’ self-imposed deadline of Friday to complete a deal.
Houston is pursuing a power forward in a deal, with candidates including Atlanta’s Paul Millsap, Philadelphia’sThaddeus Young, Boston’s Brandon Bass and Jeff Green and Cleveland’s Anderson Varejao.
Houston general manager Daryl Morey wants a deal done before the end of the week, giving the Rockets the flexibility to trade whomever is acquired in a deal before the Feb. 21 trade deadline.
According to sources the Rockets would prefer to structure the deal in a three team format. Asik who is considered especially dominant on the defensive end, has two years and $20 million left on his deal.