Potential Landing Spots for Omer Asik

Nov 15, 2013

We all knew this was coming. From the minute that big goofy cat with the last name Howard decided to come to the Houston Rockets in the off-season, it was a well known fact that the starting center for last season’s Rockets wouldn’t be a member of the Rockets by seasons end.

Omer Asik requested a trade the minute when Dwight Howard came to Houston as the two play the same way and the same position. The Rockets denied the trade request with the intention of playing Howard and Asik together, and things seemed to die down. Welp the Asik-Howard combo was doomed to fail from the beginning, as Houston’s offense needs floor spacing and the two of them were not bringing that. When Coach Kevin  McHale finally decided to put an end to the failed experiment and moved Asik to the dreaded reserve role. Now Asik has requested a trade again. After trying to say that they wouldn’t trade Asik again, the Rockets are now looking into trading Omer Asik.

Now I have to take a look at what teams would be best for Asik. It took me a little bit of time to figure which teams would be best for Asik. That would have to be a team that needs a starting center with great defensive tendencies and elite level rebounding but limited offensive game. Its funny because even with the lack of good centers in the league it was hard to think of teams that would be a fit for Asik. Well I dug a little deeper and figured it out.

Here are a few teams I think Omer Asik could fit in with:

Dallas Mavericks:

I don’t know why I didn’t think of this earlier. The Mavs are always looking to make a  move and made a heavy play for the similar Dwight Howard in the off-season. They signed big man Samuel Dalembert, but we all know that is not a full time option. Now having Asik on the Mavs would give them another great defender in the starting unit and would give the Mavs a rim protector beside Dirk Nowitzki, that he hasn’t had since Tyson Chandler manned the middle during that championship run. Simply put, making a move for Asik would give the Mavs a better chance at a playoff run. They would probably have to give up Shawn Marion, but I think that;s worth it for Asik.

Atlanta Hawks:

We all know that Al Horford is a power forward. Ever since he’s come into the league, the Hawks have played Horford out of position at center. Now imagine if they could move Horford to his natural position, with a rim protector right beside him. Omer Asik could be that guy. The Hawks would have to give up Paul Millsap, which would work wonderfully for both teams as the Rockets would get that power forward with range that they want and the Hawks would get a rim protector.

Denver Nuggets:

The Nuggets fired George Karl because of his unwillingness to start Javale McGee. McGee has been starting this season and the Nuggets have been garbage. Now that McGee is hurt, the Nuggets are starting JJ Hickson as a undersized center. Well maybe Karl was right, maybe McGee is better as a spark off the bench? Well who would be a better guy to start over him than Omer Asik? His defense would be a great anchor for that team and he would definitely get a lot of run. I would love if the Rockets could get Danillo Galinari out of the deal but ideally it would Wilson Chandler making his way to Houston.

Those are the top fits for Omer Asik in my opinion but what do you think? I purposely left off the Asik to New Orleans, Ryan Anderson to Houston trade because that’s been the rumor for months and nothing has come from it. Personally I think the Spurs and Thunder would be other great fits but I have no idea what kind of trade that would be. Anyways what do you guys think?

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