Fansided

NBA Rumors: Houston Rockets remain confident they can unload Omer Asik, Jeremy Lin, sign max player

By Andrew Melnick

Apr 9, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Houston Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin (7) talks with center Omer Asik (3) in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Houston Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin (7) talks with center Omer Asik (3) in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Houston Rockets have made it clear they want to make a huge splash for the third consecutive season.

More from LeBron James

After adding James Harden and Dwight Howard over the last two offseasons, they Rockets will attempt to land a marquee player this year, targeting the likes of Miami Heat forward LeBron James and big man Chris Bosh, New York Knicks’ forward Carmelo Anthony and Minnesota Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love. To be a real player for any of those stars, the Rockets must unload point guard Jeremy Lin and center Omer Asik.

According to Sam Amick of The USA TOday, the Rockets still believe they can find takers for Lin and Asik.

"The plan, if all goes well, would be to free up the salary cap space necessary for another star while then matching any offer for Parsons from other teams (because he would be restricted, they could go over the salary cap to do so). What’s more, the Rockets are planning on trading center Omer Asik and point guard Jeremy Lin as a way of making room for the likes of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh or any other maximum-salary level caliber player who’s available.Morey has fallen short in finding deals for Asik and Lin in the past, but the fact that he’s merely looking for expiring contracts in return this time around means there is a sense internally that he’ll be able to find a home for their massive expiring contracts (both player’s salary cap number is $8.3 million, but – as part of their deals which have what’s called a “poison pill provision” – they will both be paid approximately $14.3 million next season)."

The Rockets found Asik to be a poor fit next to Dwight Howard because the duo could not create enough space. He averaged 5.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in 48 games last season. Lin went for 12.5 points, 4.1 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game in 71 games.