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NBA Trade Rumors: Portland Trailblazers pulled out of Omer Asik talks because they like Robin Lopez better

By Josh Hill

Dec 17, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez reacts in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez reacts in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 17, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez reacts in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez reacts in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

All of the hottest NBA trade talk is centered on Houston Rockets big man Omer Asik and how the team is trying to move him before a self-imposed deadline on Friday. Right now the Boston Celtics are the team that Houston will likely deal Asik to, but it seems at one point every team in the NBA was in one way or another linked to Asik.

One team that really wasn’t ever linked to Asik and won’t be in the 11th hour is the Portland Trailblazers. According to Blazers beat writer Chris Haynes, the team really was never active in trade discussions for Asik because management didn’t want to mess with the team chemistry that has gelled over the course of this season.

"Portland owns the best record in the NBA and team chemistry is a big reason why. Adding a talent such as Asik to the mix would be a risk not worth taking, another source who is briefed on the situation told CSNNW.com Wednesday afternoon."

Hayes went on to say that another reason the Blazers aren’t in on Asik is that they really like Robin Lopez and think he’s starting to fit more and more with the team. Portland is one of the hottest teams in the NBA right now and while Asik is a big body they could use, it’s not worth the overall risk.

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