NBA Rumors: Pelicans Center Omer Asik ‘Very Much Available’ For Trade

The New Orleans Pelicans are a bad team.

Despite entering the season with high expectations, they own the fourth-worst record in the Western Conference at 8-17. Their current roster isn’t getting the job done, and it’s probably time to sell off some veteran pieces.

One of those players who might move before the NBA trade deadline is 7-foot center Omer Asik. Asik is “very much available” in potential trade talks, CSNNE.com’s A. Sherrod Blakely reported Sunday, citing a league source.

Asik has failed to meet expectations after New Orleans re-signed him to a five-year contract worth just under $58 million in July of 2015. He’s averaging just 3.3 points, 6 rebounds and 0.4 blocks per game this season.

Plenty of contending teams in both conferences need a rebounder and/or a good interior defender — including the Boston Celtics — but Asik’s play so far might scare off some teams depending on what the Pelicans want in return.