The Houston Rockets front office is working double time to trade back-up center Omer Asik, with ESPN.com reporting that one of the likeliest destinations for the defensive center is the Philadelphia 76ers.
Marc Stein of ESPN earlier reported that the Rockets want to deal their center between December 15 to 19. The time frame has two merits, according to Stein, as December 15 is the first day players who just new contracts in the summer can be dealt while December 19 is the last day that any player acquired by the Rockets in an Asik transaction can be repackaged with other players before the February 20 trade deadline.
Stein cites that the 76ers are a logical trading partner for the Rockets because of former Rockets executive Sam Hinkie who now works with Philadelphia, who can also throw forward Thaddeus Young in an Asik deal. While Young is not the stretch four that the Rockets covet, he can shoot from the midrange which can open up the floor for superstar center Dwight Howard.
Two other East teams are said to be pursuing Asik-the Atlanta Hawks who can offer forward Paul Millsap and his cap-friendly contract, and the Milwaukee Bucks who own the league's worst record.
It is said that the Rockets don't want to send Asik to any Western Conference team since he can give Howard fits on the defensive end. This could explain why the Rockets are not interested on trading the defensive center to Portland, which is a potential play-off team that the Rockets may see come April. The Blazers are said to be offering Robin Lopez, another defensive-minded center, for Asik.
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