A new possibility has emerged in the Omer Asik-to-Boston conversation.
The Celtics were rumored over the weekend to be pursuing the Rockets big man, with Jeff Green and Brandon Bass mentioned as potential trade chips.
ESPN’s Marc Stein reported early Wednesday that the Celtics and 76ers are now the front-runners to land Asik, but that any deal for the 7-footer would likely involve at least three teams.
“One possible scenario that has emerged, sources say, is a three-way trade in which Boston lands Asik, Cleveland absorbs the contract of Celtics forward Jeff Green and Houston scores no fewer than one of the future first-round picks it covets for surrendering Asik,” Stein writes. “Other players would have to be involved in such a trade to make the salary-cap math work, but it’s the sort of trade that would fall in line with Cleveland’s well-known focus on upgrading its options at small forward.”
The Cavaliers reportedly attempted to sign Green out of free agency two years ago before the swingman re-signed with the Celtics. Green has played in all 26 games for Boston this season, leading the team in scoring with 16.5 points per game.
Asik, whose discontent since Houston signed fellow big Dwight Howard in the offseason is well-documented, has missed the Rockets’ last six games with a thigh injury. Houston reportedly hopes to finalize a deal for the 27-year-old center by Thursday.
