In a move to clear cap space in the first step of an attempt to land a top free agent, the Houston Rockets have reportedly traded center Omer Asik to the New Orleans Pelicans. The trade was first reported by FOX Sports 1/Yahoo! Sports insider Adrian Wojnarowski.
In exchange for Asik, the Pelicans will send the Rockets their 2015 first-round draft pick. Houston will also include $1.5 million in the trade package.
Now the Rockets will likely look to trade point guard Jeremy Lin which would open up enough cap space for Houston to make a run at LeBron James Carmelo Anthony in free agency.
Since Dwight Howard signed with the Rockets last offseason, Asik's name floated around numerous trade rumors, the center even asked for the team to move him last summer.
New Orleans will have Asik under contract for one more season as part of a three-year deal he received from the Rockets in 2011. Asik averaged 5.8 points and 7.9 rebounds last season after becoming a backup due to Howard's signing.
Due to league rules, the reported trade cannot be finalized until after the NBA Draft on Thursday.
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