Why didn't they spend there money on other positions if Asik is this good?
The Houston Rockets have abruptly ceased trade talks involving Omer Asik and now face the complicated task of trying to re-integrate the unhappy center into their frontcourt rotation, according to sources close to the process.
Sources told ESPN.com that the Rockets moved away from the negotiating table Thursday when it became apparent that they wouldn't find a trade that matches their valuation of Asik before their self-imposed Dec. 19 deadline to move him.
The reality is that the Rockets still have two months until the league's annual trade deadline on Feb. 20 to find a palatable deal, so Asik's name will continue to be at the forefront of league wide trade speculation until the deadline passes. Yet sources said Thursday that there is growing pessimism within the Houston organization that it can construct a workable trade, given the resistance even interested teams have shown regarding the $15 million owed Asik next season.
In reality, Asik is only a $10 million-a-year center, which is more in line with his reputation as an elite defensive anchor who possesses a very limited offensive game. But to steal Asik away from the Chicago Bulls in restricted free agency in 2012, Houston structured its offer sheet to the Turkish big man so that he'd receive a whopping payout of $15 million in 2014-15, even though Asik only counts against the salary cap for roughly $8.4 million.
Winning the Dwight Howard sweepstakes a year later has since made Asik somewhat expendable in Houston, but finding a team prepared to trade for Asik and then pay him All-Star money next season has proven more difficult than the Rockets anticipated.
Sources say that the best offer they've received to date is the Boston Celtics' offer featuring reserves Brandon Bass and Courtney Lee and a future protected first-round pick. But sources say Houston couldn't bring itself Thursday to take that package back for a player it regards as one of the league's best rim protectors, especially after the Rockets -- according to a Boston Herald report -- rejected the same offer last week.
Sources told ESPN.com that the Rockets moved away from the negotiating table Thursday when it became apparent that they wouldn't find a trade that matches their valuation of Asik before their self-imposed Dec. 19 deadline to move him.
The reality is that the Rockets still have two months until the league's annual trade deadline on Feb. 20 to find a palatable deal, so Asik's name will continue to be at the forefront of league wide trade speculation until the deadline passes. Yet sources said Thursday that there is growing pessimism within the Houston organization that it can construct a workable trade, given the resistance even interested teams have shown regarding the $15 million owed Asik next season.
In reality, Asik is only a $10 million-a-year center, which is more in line with his reputation as an elite defensive anchor who possesses a very limited offensive game. But to steal Asik away from the Chicago Bulls in restricted free agency in 2012, Houston structured its offer sheet to the Turkish big man so that he'd receive a whopping payout of $15 million in 2014-15, even though Asik only counts against the salary cap for roughly $8.4 million.
Winning the Dwight Howard sweepstakes a year later has since made Asik somewhat expendable in Houston, but finding a team prepared to trade for Asik and then pay him All-Star money next season has proven more difficult than the Rockets anticipated.
Sources say that the best offer they've received to date is the Boston Celtics' offer featuring reserves Brandon Bass and Courtney Lee and a future protected first-round pick. But sources say Houston couldn't bring itself Thursday to take that package back for a player it regards as one of the league's best rim protectors, especially after the Rockets -- according to a Boston Herald report -- rejected the same offer last week.
