The Houston Rockets are reportedly exploring a deal that would send disgruntled center Omer Asik to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for either power forward Irsan Ilyasova or center Zaza Pachulia, multiple sources reported on Thursday.

ESPN NBA insider Marc Stein stated the Rockets and the Bucks have been active on the trading floor in an attempt to get a player that would plug in the holes on their roster.

Sources indicated the Bucks are looking into the idea of trading either Ilyasova or Pachulia for Asik, who has asked for a trade out of the Rockets organization after gaining less playing time behind All-Star center Dwight Howard.

"According to ESPN NBA writer Marc Stein, the Bucks are ramping up their activity on the trade market after getting off to a dismal start," via SB Nation.

Breaking Down Rockets-Bucks Trade

It's no secret the Rockets are very much willing to part ways with Asik and start moving on at this point. However, the Rockets are also adamantly against letting their defensive-oriented center go without getting solid compensation in return. 

Many basketball insiders believed the Rockets' demand to get two first-round picks in exchange for Asik is just too steep for other teams to take. However, teams can still get Asik without compromising their future.

Desperately needing a defensive presence in the interior, the Bucks can certainly make a run for Asik because of the assets they have on their roster. With Larry Sanders nursing an injury, Asik is going to be an impact player for the Bucks on both ends of the floor.

"Without Larry Sanders, the Bucks have been regularly battered on the boards and dominated in the paint (Milwaukee is currently 27th in opponent 2P% and 30th in defensive rebounding)," via SB Nation.

On the other hand, the Rockets will have the option of going for either a floor-stretching forward Ilyasova or solid backup center in Pachulia. Ilyasova is averaging just 8.8 points and 4.7 rebounds in 26 minutes per game while Pachulia is producing 6.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per outing for the Bucks, who are currently in the cellar of the Eastern Conference standings.