The New Orleans Pelicans have started out the season in quite the pedestrian fashion. Sure, Anthony Davis is the second leading scorer in the league as of right now, but his gaudy individual numbers haven’t equated into much success for his team as they currently sit in the cellar of the Western Conference with a 9-19 record. The Pels know they need to improve the supporting cast built around Davis. Their mediocrity could eventually lead to an elite, young talent like Davis despising playing for their organization. New Orleans is not afraid to make a move and according to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSN New England, center Omer Asik is openly being shopped:
“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.”
IF Asik were to be traded, there would definitely be a few potential suitors, perhaps playoff teams lacking rim protection. Blakely explains that one of those squads could be the always active Boston Celtics:
“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.”
Asik still comes with a hefty price tag of about $11 million annually over the next three seasons. Pairing the financial burden and the signing of Al Horford this summer to a max deal, Asik to Boston may be a bit of a long shot to happen. However, there are plenty of other teams across the league that would value the rim protection and physical presence Asik brings to the table. It also makes sense for New Orleans to be actively shopping the Turkish center due to already having Alexis Ajinca, a big with a similar skillset, locked up long-term at a cheaper rate. The Pelicans are smart to be thinking about the future and the supporting cast around a bonafide superstar like Davis. It seems as if Asik could be the piece they are most willing to part with, and there should be plenty of teams interested in his services.
