Omer Asik’s behavior is forcing Houston to trade him. The writing was on the wall for Asik when Dwight Howard came to town. Asik has been asking for a trade since July, but now he’s taking extra measures.
Asik isn’t fully engaged in team activities and it’s gotten to the point where he didn’t even suit up for the contest in Denver last night.
The center was scratched from Saturday’s home game against Denver essentially because he’s so unhappy with his new role that he’s in no state to play. Word is Asik has been asking the Rockets pretty much once a week, since Dwight Howard‘s arrival in July, to please trade him elsewhere. And now losing his starting spot, on top of what was already a reduced role, has clearly knocked the 27-year-old back.
Sources with knowledge of the situation told ESPN.com that Asik was challenged by coaches and teammates this week for not being “engaged” in the wake of the lineup change, which took effect when Asik was moved to the bench for Wednesday’s game in Philadelphia. And he hasn’t played since the challenge, logging zero minutes Thursday night in New York while in uniform and not even dressing against the Nuggets.
There’s no question Asik is going to be dealt. The only question is when.