Omer Asik (Photo : Stacy Revere | Getty Images Sport)
The Boston Celtics are one of the teams showing interest in New Orleans Pelicans center Omer Asik ahead of the start of trading season, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com.
Asik, who averaging 3.3 points and 6.0 rebounds in 17.5 minutes of play this season, has become dispensable for the Pelicans, since All-Star big man Anthony Davis has assume the center role to match up with the speed of other teams.
Blakely reported the Celtics have some interest in the Turkish big man, especially if they aren't able to land a star player in the trading market.
The first priority for Celtics general manager Danny Ainge is to exhaust all options in an attempt to acquire a high-impact player. If thing didn't prosper, Ainge may resort to tapping secondary option such as beefing up their front-line rotation.
"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.
While the Celtics were rumored to have had interest in him when he was in Chicago as well as during his time with the Pelicans, another league source indicated they anticipate the Celtics will take a wait-and-see approach with any potential trade that doesn't significantly enhance their chances at making a deep playoff run and being a contender in the East along with defending champion Cleveland and Toronto."
Aside from Asik, the Celtics are also linked to Dallas Mavericks veteran big man Andrew Bogut and Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic.
Hoops Rumors writer Luke Adams notes Bogut may not draw as much interest as other bigs because of his trade value isn't that good right now. Mavericks are also not looking to shop the former no.1 overall pick, considering he's the only legit rim protector in their lineup.
The Magic is also reportedly dangling Vucevic, but the price of acquiring the big man might too steep for any buyer right now.
