The Philadelphia 76ers have suddenly become the latest team to show interest in trading for Houston Rockets center Omer Asik, a reliable league source reported on Monday.

Asik, who hasn't played significant minutes ever since he demanded a trade last month, is reportedly close to being moved, according to Fox Sports NBA insider Sam Amico.

The Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans, Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks have all explored a possible trade for Asik, but the Rockets' asking price (two first-round picks) was just too much for them to take.

However, recent reports indicated that the rebuilding Sixers are interested to trade for the defensive-oriented big man. As a matter of fact, Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie, a former member of the Rockets front office, is leaning towards bringing Asik to Philadelphia soon.

"The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the teams linked to Houston Rockets center Omer Asik, who reportedly is about to be moved. One league executive told FOX Sports Ohio not to rule out the Celtics or Milwaukee Bucks, either," Amico wrote in his latest article.

ESPN NBA insider Marc Stein also provided reasons why the Sixers are a viable trade destination for Asik, who averaged 4.4 points and 6.8 boards in 18 minutes per game for the Rockets.

Stein said the Sixers would likely make a deal for Asik because Hinkie is a fan of the Turk's game, the team has a tradable asset in Thaddeus Young, and draft picks to sweeten the trade package.

"Keep your eye on Philadelphia. Front-runner would be overstating it, but the notion that the Sixers are a viable destination for Asik is increasingly making the rounds," Stein stated.

"And that certainly makes sense given (A) Philly's front office is run by a certified Asik fan in former Rockets exec Sam Hinkie and (B) Philly has a frontcourt player to send back to Houston in Thaddeus Young, whose skill set can click with Dwight Howard's, albeit not as well as seemingly unattainable dream target Ryan Anderson; and (C) there really isn't an Asik for Philly to draft with the high pick it's likely to snag in the 2014 lottery," he added.

Asik's value might be too high for two first-round draft picks or even a borderline All-Star like Young. However, if he's able to produce the same statistical line he had in his first year with the Rockets, then he's worth the risk.