The Rockets are trying to open up enough cap space to pursue Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and the other top free agents this summer. They took a big step toward doing so last night. From Yahoo Sports:
The Houston Rockets have reached agreement on a trade to send center Omer Asik to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for a future first-round draft pick, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
For the Rockets, this is the first step in clearing salary-cap space to pursue LeBron James orCarmelo Anthony in free agency. Houston has to move Jeremy Lin next to create space for a third maximum contract on the roster. Dwight Howard and James Harden are already on max contracts for the Rockets.
The Rockets will acquire what will likely be a late lottery pick, possibly as soon as 2015, from the Pelicans, sources said. The trade cannot be completed until July 10.