The Houston Rockets have dealt veteran center Omer Asik to the New Orleans Pelicans in a move aimed to free up salary cap space in the team’s planned chase of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.
In exchange for the defensive specialist and $1.5 million in cash, the Rockets will conditionally receive the Pelicans’ 2015 first round draft pick. Asik is entering the final season of a three-year deal that is slated to pay him $15 million this season. The fifth-year veteran has averaged six points and seven rebounds over his career, including six points and eight rebounds in his one season as Dwight Howard’s back up.
The Pelicans have been desperate to add a defensive-minded and more physical presence to play alongside emerging frontline star Anthony Davis
Next up is expected to be Jeremy Lin, whom the Rockets are also rumored to be looking to deal as part of their grand plan to acquire their targeted dynamic duo. Houston also allowed emerging star forward Chandler Parsons to become a free agent this summer in hopes of creating more salary cap flexibility.
The Rockets won 54 games this season, but were ousted in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs 4-2, setting in motion a plan by management to retool the roster.
The Rockets are rumored to be among just five teams (Heat, Clippers, Cavaliers and Lakers) in play to land both James and Anthony, who reportedly long ago engaged in a pact to jump at the chance to play together should it ever arise.
While it is widely assumed James may ultimately choose to re-up with the Heat, Anthony will have his choice of new suitors ranging from the Rocket, Bulls, Lakers, Clippers and Mavs.
Reps for the NBA’s No. 2 overall top scorer behind league MVP Kevin Durant have already indicated he plans to formally meet with at least the Bulls, Rockets and Mavs after the July 1 deadline.
