NBA Rumors: Rockets unlikely to trade Omer Asik or Jeremy Lin

The Houston Rockets have reportedly offered up both Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin in trades this season, but have yet to get more than a bite from opposing teams.

Much of that can likely be attributed to Houston’s elevated price tag for both Asik and Lin, a price tag that may handcuff the Rockets from trading either player.

According to SportingNews, it’s increasingly possible both players will remain with the team past February’s NBA trade deadline:

"Now, league sources have told Sporting News that it will be increasingly difficult for Houston to move Asik, who has been out since the beginning of December with a deep thigh bruise. Asik could return soon, and when he does, it is likely that he will finish out the year with Houston. The same, too, could be said of point guard Jeremy Lin."

In addition to the Rockets high asking price, SportingNews suggests the structure of both contracts will make any trade difficult.

Both Lin and Asik were signed to the Rockets in 2012 and were given relatively unique contracts in the process – contracts that will only count towards $8.5 million on the NBA’s salary cap, but will cost $15 million overall.

Neither Lin nor Asik are worth $15 million dollars, making each player a tough sell – especially given Houston’s demands.

If the Rockets are to move one or both, they’ll need to drop their asking price significantly.