NBA Trade Rumors: Three-Team Trade Involving Omer Asik/Jeremy Lin/Luol Deng Being Explored

Dec 26, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin (7) shoots during the third quarter as Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley (11) defends at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Grizzlies 100-92. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

After not finding a deal that Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey deemed reasonable for backup center Omer Asik last week, the rumors have now swirled to involve point guard Jeremy Lin as a possible package deal. Earlier this week, it was reported that Morey talked to the Brooklyn Nets about a potential deal involving Asik/Lin for Deron Williams, and now it appears that a 3-team trade is being explored with the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks.

According to FOX Sports, the Bulls have inquired about trading for Lin in exchange for Luol Deng, with the Hawks being a possible destination for Asik.

Dec 18, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago Bulls small forward Luol Deng (9) drives past Houston Rockets small forward Chandler Parsons (25) during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Richardson-USA TODAY Sports

The Bulls have shopped Deng around since the offseason when the two parties could not reach a contract extension, and it is believed by executives around the NBA that he could be traded before the February deadline. Add in the injury to Derrick Rose and the Bulls have been searching for a point guard. They recently signed D.J. Augustin, who was waived by the Toronto Raptors earlier this season, and has been averaging 10.4 points and 6.3 assists since becoming a Bull, while Kirk Hinrich is shooting just 35 percent from the field for the season, and averaging just 8.5 points. The Bulls also recently sent their first-round pick Marquis Teague to the D-League.

The Hawks, on the other hand have expressed interest in Asik since he demanded to be traded in late November, and could productive bench players to give back in return with the likes of Elton Brand, or DeMarre Carroll.

Deng could fit in with the Rockets’ short-term plans as an elite perimeter defender that they have been lacking with an expiring contract, either as a starter, or a reserve. The two-time all-star is averaging a career high 19.6 points, while also adding 7 rebounds a game.