Houston Rockets: Jeremy Lin And Omer Asik Are Officially On The Trade Block

Dec 26, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Luke Ridnour (13) looks to pass against Houston Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin (7) and center Omer Asik (3) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Greg Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Confident that they can land Dwight Howard, the Houston Rockets have put Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin on the trading block, according to CBS Sports’ Ken Berger.

Fresh off their first meeting with Howard, the Rockets continue to like their chances for the superstar free agent.  They cleared some cap space earlier Monday morning by trading Thomas Robinson to the Portland Trail Blazers, and officially waiving Carlos Delfino and Aaron Brooks, but they are now reportedly looking to deal either Asik or Lin as well.

If the Rockets do land Howard, Asik would become extremely expandable, although it looked like at first that the Rockets would want both players on the roster.

The inclusion of Lin in trade talks is a little surprising, even to the dismay of many Rockets fans.  Lin and Patrick Beverley are the only point guards on the roster, along with newly drafted Isaiah Cannon.  But both Lin and Asik have backloaded contracts that could take a severe hit to the Rockets’ cap space next season so exploring both players’ names around for another point guard, post player, or rotation players at a cheaper price is the approach that Daryl Morey is taking.

A likely destination for Asik could be the Philadelphia 76ers, where Sam Hinkie is the new general manager.  Hinkie was in Houston last year when he signed both Asik and Lin.