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The Rockets are making room for some potentially huge moves. That’s the writing on the wall, at least. The team finally traded away disgruntled star center Omer Asik on Wednesday night, finding a landing spot in New Orleans with the Pelicans.
In New Orleans Asik will slide into the starting center spot, which will likely shift star big man Anthony Davis to his more suitable power forward spot. Asik’s presence as a defensive stopper and rebounder should only help Davis stay out of foul trouble, while also potentially making the Pelicans one of the more feared defensive units down low.
In return, the Rockets unload a player who has wanted out since the beginning of last season, while also getting a future first round draft pick and roughly $1.5 million in cash.
The table is clearly being set for a bigger move, which many are speculating to be bringing in either Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James. Already stacked with superstars James Harden and Dwight Howard, as well as a solid stable of role players, the Rockets are an appealing destination for any star looking to join a team that could be one piece away from taking it to the next level.
That may be what this deal is setting up, but in a summer that even involves a rumor of both Melo and James joining the Rockets – which could spark the trading of Harden – no one knows what to believe. For now, the Rockets have cleared up space and solved one problem. Now it’s on to the next one.
On a side note, the Pelicans reportedly may not be able to handle taking on Asik without making a secondary move to make the numbers fit. That could bring on a secondary trade that could involved parting ways with someone like Austin Rivers or Eric Gordon.
