NBA Rumors: Omer Asik Trade Buzz, Lamar Odom's Potential Return and More

Headlining the latest buzz on the NBA rumor mill is a touchy situation in Houston, where Rockets big man Omer Asik has requested a trade for the second time since the team acquired Dwight Howard.

Asik has seen his role diminish and has lost his starting job to Terrence Jones, per the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen.

In light of the most recent news, though, it seems Rockets general manager Darryl Morey may be willing to grant Asik's wishes this time around after ultimately not doing so the first time.

Also, Lamar Odom may be making his return to the NBA soon. Read on to find out more regarding these developments and more speculation about two teams that could pull off a trade in the future.

Rockets Talking to Multiple Teams About Omer Asik Trade

Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com reported Thursday that Asik's trade request was denied by the Rockets. That came after he asked to be moved in July, when Houston obviously refused.

Asik is no longer a starter, which is incredulous given the talent the seven-footer has. He is still developing at age 27 and averaged a double-double as an 82-game starter on last season's playoff squad.

But hope may be on the horizon for Asik. Yahoo! insider Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Rockets are indeed engaging with multiple teams and seeking an impact player in return.

Those who have listened to Morey's offers feel the asking price is too high, per Wojnarowski, who provided more specifics on what the Rockets are looking for if a frontcourt player can't be had:

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Unless a team is willing to give the Rockets a frontline player who can help them win in the short-term, Morey is open to acquiring a largely unprotected first-round pick in the loaded 2014 NBA draft, sources said.

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Nabbing an unprotected first-round pick in the upcoming draft will be difficult given how deep the prospective class should be. Asik is a stellar defender and rebounder, but doesn't command that type of value in return even though he has room to improve.

Dec. 15 marks the date that players who signed as free agents this past offseason can be traded, and Wojnarowski implies that a deal isn't likely to happen until then.

The good news for Asik is that his agent, Jim Miller, and Morey have been in constant contact in attempting to facilitate a trade.

Over the summer, Wojnarowski reports, the New Orleans Pelicans discussed shipping Ryan Anderson to the Rockets for Asik. That would have reunited Anderson with Howard, as the two were former teammates in Orlando. The Pelicans are unwilling to reengage in negotiations right now, though.

Efforts are being made, but both parties should move on as soon as possible.

Otherwise, Asik will languish on the bench and cause probable tension in the locker room, and Houston's front office will sell lower on its viable asset the longer it waits.

Lamar Odom Re-Signing with Los Angeles Clippers?

The possibility seems probable, since Odom paid a visit to the team's practice facility Friday.

That's according to a report by FoxSportsWest.com's Broderick Turner, who was told by one NBA executive that Odom "didn't look heavy weight-wise" and was "talking like he really wants to play again."

ESPN insider Marc Stein indicated that Odom was planning on a return to the Association in the second half of the 2013-14 campaign, but his recent workouts may have expedited the process:

Marc J. Spears provided some reaction from Clippers players that were under the impression Odom would sign soon, while one source implied that Odom's return was embraced:

Odom checked himself out of rehab Sept. 6 after one day in an attempt to deal with drug problems, per a report by People Magazine.

It appears his return to the hardwood could come soon, but it will likely take Odom a while to get back into game shape to be a solid contributor and to crack the Clippers' rotation—if they decide to sign him.

Update on Cleveland Cavaliers and Sacramento Kings Trade Talk

HOOPSWORLD.com's Alex Kennedy reported early Thursday that the two teams were exploring trade possibilities after slow starts to the season.

Sam Amico of FoxSportsOhio.com provided his intel from a Cavs source, who told him that nothing substantial is in the works at the moment:

That could very well change, because the Kings have a crowded backcourt and could stand to move at least one of their players. Cleveland could move just about anyone, too, save for star point guard Kyrie Irving.

Any source of offense would be good for the Cavaliers, who have been horrendous under defensive-minded head coach Mike Brown, per Grantland's Zach Lowe:

The only player that should be off limits in Sacramento is talented big man DeMarcus Cousins, who is a continued work in progress but has as much upside as any front-line player in the league.