Is Asik Actually Injured or Just Sulking? Still Want Him?

[Zubby]

I don't know what is true, but if indeed Asik asked to be traded than **** him, trade his ass to Atlanta.

[Nebula1]

Been hurt a long time and coming back just in time for the deadline... looks like sulking to me.

Trade him for Varejao.

[texasholdem]

I don't know what is true, but if indeed Asik asked to be traded than **** him, trade his ass to Atlanta.

Asik has asked to be traded since we signed Dwight. I don't blame him really. He played great last year and doesn't deserve to be demoted just because they signed someone else.

[TMACFORMVP]

McHale expects Asik to play TOMORROW if his knee doesn't swell up after practice today.

[BleedGreen1989]

McHale expects Asik to play TOMORROW if his knee doesn't swell up after practice today.

Looking forward to finally seeing him back on the court.

Will be an interesting watch leading up to the deadline but I tend to agree with Mr. E in that Morey likely wont receive an offer he deems as "equal value" before the deadline.

[inquisitive]

McHale expects Asik to play TOMORROW if his knee doesn't swell up after practice today.

just in time to go up against his buddy Ersan...

[ChokeFasncists]

A good article talking about the tough and strange situation, blaming Asik for demanding a trade in public.

http://nba.si.com/2014/02/07/omer-asik-return-trade-deadline-houston-rockets/

[ChokeFasncists]

New article:

No mention of his injury whatsoever.

http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2014/02/omer-asik-continues-to-get-into-game-shape/
Omer Asik continues to get into game-shape

Rockets center Omer Asik has been back for two games, and his teammates say he is getting better each day.

Asik played just over 10 minutes in the Rockets’ wins over the Bucks and the Timberwolves. Against Milwaukee, he had five rebounds and against Minnesota, he had three points and six rebounds.

Coach Kevin McHale is pleased with his progress.

“He has to work on his wind but he will get better and better,” McHale said. “He has to get out there with his teammates and game conditioning is so different than running on a treadmill. You can’t get game conditioning doing that so it will take a little time.”

Guard James Harden said the biggest difference in the Rockets with Asik back on the floor is their defense.

“He is such a good defensive player and having him and Dwight (Howard) just makes us that much stronger on defense,” Harden said. “I think he has looked good in practice and in games. He has to get his wind back under him but he works hard and I know he will.”

[inquisitive]

progress made....5 boards in 10min the other night....then 6 boards in 10min last nite...lol

[Agnostifarian]

There's 15 million reasons why he has to go before 2015 unless you're seriously prepared to lose Parsons in the next 12 months. I think Morey has to puke the big man...

[texasholdem]

There's 15 million reasons why he has to go before 2015 unless you're seriously prepared to lose Parsons in the next 12 months. I think Morey has to puke the big man...

His cap hold is only 8m not 15m. I don't think Asik hinders re-signing Parsons

[Agnostifarian]

http://www.sbnation.com/2014/2/11/54007 ... ree-agency

[texasholdem]

http://www.sbnation.com/2014/2/11/5400700/chandler-parsons-rockets-conundrum-nba-free-agency

We can't offer Parsons a new contract until 2015, which is when Asik's contract ends. Asik won't re-sign here as long as Dwight is around. So really trading Asik won't do anything to keep Parsons.

[ChokeFasncists]

http://www.sbnation.com/2014/2/11/5400700/chandler-parsons-rockets-conundrum-nba-free-agency

Great article!!! Agreed!!!

We can't offer Parsons a new contract until 2015, which is when Asik's contract ends. Asik won't re-sign here as long as Dwight is around. So really trading Asik won't do anything to keep Parsons.

It's actually a team option for 2014, it's in the article. If we decline the team option, Parsons become restricted free agent, it's something reasonable to consider because we can retain him and it would make him happy. The article doesn't say whether we can sign him for an extension tho?

[ChokeFasncists]

http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/Don-t-rule-out-a-trade-despite-Rockets-recent-run-5233958.php?t=56fe95fde7f992f472

Sheds light on this topic:

They had talks last month with then-free-agent center Andrew Bynum before opting against making an offer, according to a person familiar with the talks. It was unclear if the Rockets backed away because of questions about Bynum's contributing this season or signing after this season or because they decided to keep center Omer Asik.

Morey expected to trade Asik in December, but a deal is much less likely now. While the Rockets' concern is more with a player's cost against the salary cap and luxury tax, rather than what he is actually paid, there are teams that will not consider a deal for Asik because he will earn roughly $15 million next season, even if his contract would count only $8.3 million against their cap. The pool of teams potentially interested is further cut by excluding the group more interested in improving their draft position than roster.

That leaves a relatively small group that wants to improve this season, has a need for a defensive-oriented center, can make a deal in which the salaries match, and is not scared off by Asik's contract.

After waiting two months to get Asik back on the court, the Rockets are not eager to let him go, especially for a player likely to play no greater role at a different position than Asik can at his. Given the Rockets' issues with defense and rebounding off the bench, there's a sense Asik can help more than the players the Rockets can get for him.

Jeremy Lin's contract would similarly narrow the field, and Lin is the Rockets' strongest scorer off the bench.

Lin and Asik fit the short-term mindset well, but the Rockets already have shown they will be cautious about taking on contracts beyond the 2014-15 season. They opted against a December trade with the Celtics for Courtney Lee and Brandon Bass - a deal that might have helped this season, especially while Asik was out - because the length of Lee's contract could have become an issue.

[Agnostifarian]

You guys should keep Asik. He brings that junk yard dog mentality. Tough is important in the playoffs.

[13th Man]

You guys should keep Asik. He brings that junk yard dog mentality. Tough is important in the playoffs.

Morey likes Asik, the big question is if the feeling is mutual. If Asik truly bought into his role we wouldn't be in this predicament. At the same time McHale needs to make him a bigger part of the team rather than having him ride the pine the entire 4th quarters as he did early in the season which caused more dissention. The relationship has been strained, it's going to take a lot to make ammends.

[Agnostifarian]

I'm an outsider here and I don't mean to fire anyone up but it seems like Asik really just wants to play. Morey wants Asik to play. Doesn't this Asik/Dwight thing fall squarely on McHale?

[neverrelaxed]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/writer/ken ... ades-again

[ChokeFasncists]

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/writer/ken-berger/24447420/sources-rockets-exploring-asik-trades-again

Hawes and a first sounds fine to me!