NBA Trade Rumors 2013 Update: Houston Rockets Could Trade Omer Asik, Jeremy Lin For Rajon Rondo; Price Too High, Says GM

Omer Asik contributed well for the Houston Rockets in their last two games but the disgruntled center is still expected to be traded before the 2013-14 NBA season trade deadline.

While Asik previously said that he is still ready to contribute to the Rockets, reports suggested that 27-year-old center, who averaged 8.0 points and 7.5 rebounds in his last two games, is still unhappy with his backup role in Houston.

Asik, whose frustration started when the Rockets acquired superstar center Dwight Howard, is attracting interest from several teams. However, CBS Sports reported that one rival general manager implied Houston was being unreasonable when it came to their asking price for Asik, considering the Turkish center's back-loaded contract.

CBS Sports reported:

"Houston's disgruntled center has been unhappy with his role since the Rockets landed Dwight Howard, and the situation isn't going to get any better. After playing four minutes at Philadelphia on Nov. 13 and riding the bench against the Knicks on Nov. 14, Asik finally logged 20-plus minutes in back-to-back games this week for the first time since early November. The limiting factor, of course, is that while Asik counts only $8.4 million against the cap/tax, his actual salary next season is $15 million. Given those constraints and Asik's sad-sack demeanor, one rival GM described the Rockets as "delusional" as far as their asking price for him."

The Dallas Mavericks and the Portland Trail Blazers reportedly had preliminary talks with the Rockets about a possible trade involving Asik.

Aside from the Mavs and the Blazers, the Boston Celtics are also being mentioned as a possible destination for Asik. According to Opposing Views, Asik could be packaged with point guard Jeremy Lin for injured Celtics guard Rajon Rondo.