Houston Rockets: Omer Asik Will Be Dealt, But No Timetable

Nov 9, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Omer Asik (3) controls the ball during the first quarter as Los Angeles Clippers shooting guard Jamal Crawford (11) defends at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The biggest question mark for the Houston Rockets at the moment may not even be on the court. Instead, the trade demand situation of Omer Asik has drawn so much attention that ESPN’s Marc Stein has reported that the Rockets are certain that they will deal Asik once the right offer comes.

“The Houston Rockets will be trading Omer Asik as quickly as they can find a palatable trade. That much is certain. 

The center was scratched from Saturday’s home game against Denver essentially because he’s so unhappy with his new role that he’s in no state to play. Word is Asik has been asking the Rockets pretty much once a week, since Dwight Howard‘s arrival in July, to please trade him elsewhere. And now losing his starting spot, on top of what was already a reduced role, has clearly knocked the 27-year-old back. 

Sources with knowledge of the situation told ESPN.com that Asik was challenged by coaches and teammates this week for not being “engaged” in the wake of the lineup change, which took effect when Asik was moved to the bench for Wednesday’s game in Philadelphia. And he hasn’t played since the challenge, logging zero minutes Thursday night in New York while in uniform and not even dressing against the Nuggets.”

Asik reportedly left the Rockets’ locker room after shootaround Saturday, and was nowhere to be found in the win over the Nuggets, putting the Rockets in what seems to be a no-win situation. General manager Daryl Morey most likely will have to wait after December 15 to get an offer that he would be interested in: Dec. 15 is the date where newly signed free agents from the summer are eligible to be traded.

But it may already be too late for Morey to get the best possible deal, as Asik’s actions may have lowered his market.