Jan 12, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Houston Rockets center Omer Asik (3) is defended by Philadelphia 76ers center Spencer Hawes (00) during the fourth quarter at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers defeated the Rockets 107-100. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
As the Houston Rockets self-inflicted Dec. 19 trade deadline for Omer Asik, approaches, many, and I mean many, rumors are going to start swirling around the disgruntled big man.
However, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein, it appears that one team is the clear frontrunner for Asik, at least at the moment.
"[ESPN]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, former Rockets exec Sam Hinkie; (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."
This hypothetical offer sounds logical, for both teams. The Rockets could use defense – really anything that resembles it – and the Sixers could use another chip for the future, which Asik really is. Just the thought of a Thad Young/Dwight Howard frontcourt gets me excited.
Then I think, do sensible trades ever get done in the NBA?