Omer Asik Signs Rockets' Deal, Bulls Interested In Darko Milicic

By Tim Bearden in News on Jul 21, 2012 7:00PM

Friday night Omer Asik got wined and dined by Houston Rockets' coach Kevin McHale into a $25 million deal that makes the seven-foot Chicago center look like he's heading for Houston.

The Bulls were already reportedly shopping around for another big man to back up Joakim Noah. Darko Milicic, who was amnestied by the Minnesota Timberwolves under the new collective bargaining agreement, is being scouted by the Bulls to fill Asik's shoes. The Bulls have three days after receiving the offer sheet to counter Houston and keep Asik. Either way, it's a lateral move for the Bulls.

Milicic's 1.3 blocks per game career average along with a 6 points per game average just barely beats out Asik's 0.8 blocks per game career average and 2.9 points per game. Both are equally mediocre on the boards, and average about 4 rebounds per game apiece. Losing Asik isn't going to be a nightmare scenario for Chicago, which is likely the reason they're not going to counter in the days to come—but picking up Milicic certainly isn't a move for yet another superstar.