Houston Rockets Plan To Trade Omer Asik By Dec. 19

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
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Houston Rockets are telling other teams that they plan to trade Omer Asik by December 19. The Rockets began calling teams Friday to make them aware that the window for a deal is between December 15-19.
Hearing this strong: Rockets determined to trade Omer Asik by Dec. 19 at latest and have ramped up discussions with potential trade partners
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) December 6, 2013
Both dates are of significance: Dec. 15 marks the first day that free agents signed in the offseason are eligible to be traded, while Dec. 19 marks the last day to acquire a player who would be eligible to be traded again by the trade deadline on Feb. 20.
The Rockets announced Thursday that Asik would be out at least a week with a right thigh contusion. He’s averaging 4.4 points and 6.8 rebounds in 18.3 minutes per game.