Rockets GM Daryl Morey will kick off the NBA free agent period in Los Angeles, where he plans to meet with restricted free agent Omer Asik tonight, according to Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston (via Twitter). The Bulls have officially tendered Asik a qualifying offer worth about $2.32MM, so Chicago will have the opportunity to match any offer sheet the big man signs with another club.
As Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle wrote yesterday, the Rockets have repeatedly tried to trade for Asik in recent years. Having not drafted a center on Thursday and having been unsuccessful so far in their attempts to acquire Dwight Howard, the Rockets figure to be targeting big men in free agency, and Asik will be one of the team's top targets.
Asik, who turns 26 next week, has seen limited playing time in his two seasons with the Bulls, averaging 2.9 points and 4.4 rebounds in 13.2 minutes per game over the course of 148 contests. However, the young center is known for his defensive prowess, and is expected to attract plenty of interest this summer. Earlier in June, Bulls GM Gar Forman called Asik a very important piece for Chicago, and expressed a desire to get him locked up this summer.
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