Omer Asik (Photo : Stacy Revere | Getty Images Sport)
The NBA trade rumors continue as the New Orleans Pelicans already declared their intention to make a trade.
As we near December 15-the date when trade restrictions for players who signed in the offseason is lifted, more teams will position themselves for trades. The New Orleans Pelicans is definitely a team that needs one as they continue to have a disappointing season.
The Pelicans are languishing near the Western Conference cellar (8-17, 12th in the Conference) despite having a legitimate MVP candidate in Anthony Davis. It's easy to see that they need more scoring. Now, they are shopping the Turkish center as CSNNE reports.
"Omer Asik, the rim-protecting big man who has not been nearly as impactful in the Big Easy as he was in Chicago, is very much available a league source has told CSNNE.com," the report stated.
One possible target would be Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks, who's currently injured but would be worth the wait when he gets back.
The Pelicans can trade Asik and a draft pick for the Bucks wingman but they would probably need a draft pick to make it happen.
But would the Bucks agree to this? Middleton is a vital cog in their offense and even last summer, the Bucks have been reluctant to trade him. In this report by Gery Woelfel in Woelfel's Press Box, he recalls a trade attempt by the Boston Celtics that was easily thwarted.
"One of the trade scenarios, a source said, is packaging Middleton with veteran center Greg Monroe, whom the Bucks have been seriously shopping. It is known the Celtics have had interest in Monroe for a long time," the report stated. "In return for Middleton and Monroe, the Bucks could possibly acquire two first-round picks from the Celtics in today's draft: Nos. 16 and 23, along with another player."
Woelfel claimed that the Bucks did consider since they tried out some rookie prospects projected at that draft range. Middleton's trade value was at its peak, coming from a breakthrough season.
The Pelicans can propose to buy low on an injured player even as his timetable has him returning late in the season. But for the Bucks to trade for another center, they have to let go of center Greg Monroe first.
