Daryl Morey hinted on SportsTalk 790 radio in Houston that an owner’s veto was to blame for the end of trade talks involving Omer Asik.
“We were definitely trying to move [Asik],” Morey said, according to Alex Kennedy’s transcription for HoopsWorld. “It was trending towards something happening, but sometimes when you get to those last approvals and the owner, I think as Houston fans know from past deals that didn’t come off that looked like they were done, they don’t happen. … You’re obviously never going to do a deal that doesn’t help the team or keep you at least even. And those didn’t present themselves.”
There’s more from the Rockets GM’s radio spot amid the latest from the Southwest Division:
- Morey seemed to suggest that Asik could remain with the Rockets past the league’s February 20th trade deadline, even though that would be a surprising outcome. “It’s pretty likely that Omer is here for quite a long time,” Morey said. “A lot of the dynamics that went into things not working out don’t change, in terms of the contract and things like that. We did feel like we owed it to Omer to give a strong look at it, but nothing ended up materializing.”
- New Orleans wasn’t a latecomer in scouting Alexis Ajinca, as Pelicans coach Monty Williams said GM Dell Demps and the team’s front office “have been talking about him for a while,” observes Jim Eichenhofer of Pelicans.com. The team officially announced its signing of Ajinca earlier this evening.
- Ajinca’s deal is for two seasons, agent Mark Bartelstein confirms to John Reid of The Times Picayune.