NBA Trade Rumors: Philadelphia 76ers Are A Possible Destination For Omer Asik

Nov 7, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers point guard Jordan Farmar (1) drives against Houston Rockets center Omer Asik (3) during the second half at Toyota Center. The Lakers won 99-98. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

With the Houston Rockets setting Dec. 19 as their deadline to trade center Omer Asik, there hasn’t been a clear landing spot for him. However, ESPN’s Marc Stein, who first broke the news of the Rockets looking to deal Asik within the coming weeks, also reported that the Philadelphia 76ers are a likely destination.

“Keep your eye on Philadelphia. Front-runner would be overstating it, but the notion that the Sixers are a viable destination for Asik is increasingly making the rounds. And that certainly makes sense given (A) Philly’s front office is run by a certified Asik fan in former Rockets exec Sam Hinkie and (B) Philly has a frontcourt player to send back to Houston in Thaddeus Young, whose skill set can click with Dwight Howard’s, albeit not as well as seemingly unattainable dream target Ryan Anderson; and (C) there really isn’t an Asik for Philly to draft with the high pick it’s likely to snag in the 2014 lottery.”

Of course, the connection here would be general manager Daryl Morey’s relationship with Sam Hinkie, as Hinkie has already taken one ex-Rocket in James Anderson who was cut in the offseason(and torched the Rockets for 36 points in the Sixers win a month ago). But the idea of acquiring Thaddeus Young seems rather redundant with Terrence Jones developing into a solid starting power forward.

Stein also mentions the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks as two teams who could go after Asik, with the Rockets likely to set their eyes on Paul Millsap of the Hawks. Millsap, however, won’t be able to be moved until Dec. 15, while the Bucks may unload some of their veteran players with the disappointing start they’ve had thus far.