The latest on the Omer Asik trade circus

Houston has stated that they are determined to move Omer Asik by December 19th and many teams have thrown their hats into the ring to acquire the Rockets 7-footer. The Boston Celtics, a long rumored trade partner, is at the forefront of discussion as rumors are starting to fly fast and furious around the internet.

CELTICS INVOLVEMENT

  • According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Hawks, Celtics, Cavs, Sixers, and one wild card team are those in contention for Asik.
  • According to Marc Stein and Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Celtics are now the primary rivals of the Sixers in the race for Omer Asik. Neither team is reportedly scared of his looming $15M balloon payment owed to Asik in 2014/15.
  • The Cavaliers are another team in the mix for Asik but are more than likely acting as a faciliator as opposed to a destination for the Rockets center. One possible scenario has included the Celtics sending Jeff Green to Cleveland, but Chris Mannix of SI.com is adamant that Jeff Green will be staying put in Boston- at least in regards to Asik.
  • One possible scenario involving the Celtics and Sixers that would send Asik to Boston was mentioned by Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, but a league source refuted it as "a weird deal."

THE FIELD OF COMPETITION & X-FACTORS

  • According to Marc Stein & Brian Windhorst, one factor in Rockets GM Daryl Morey's December 19th deadline for an Asik deal was put in place so he could get a deal done with Sixers GM Sam Hinkie- a former Rockets assistant GM. The Rockets would be want a deal that included Spencer Hawes and at least one first-round pick.
  • Both Thaddeus Young and Jeff Green have been potential targets of the Rockets, Houston fears that adding either player could hurt the development and ability to lock up Chandler Parsons long term.
  • Atlanta is a potential trade partner for Houston in a deal built around Paul Milsap, but the Hawks are alledgely "luke warm" on Asik.
  • Houston is not opposed to packaging both Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik, but as Lin is also due a huge salary bump in 2014/15, the likelihood of moving both players is a slim one.

All of this begs the question: who are you willing to part with to gain Omer Asik?

We're following this closely; more on the potential addition of Turkish Delight as it develops.

Follow Padraic O'Connor on Twitter @padraic_oconnor
Source: Luke Adams; HoopsRumors.com

Photo Source: Boston.com

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