While free-agents are not permitted to officially sign offers until July 11th, Asik's quick decision will allow the Bulls to have maximum time to consider whether to keep the valuable backup center. After he officially signs the Rockets' offer sheet, the Bulls will have three days to match the Rockets' offer because Asik is a restricted free-agent.
Chicago Bulls GM, Gar Foreman, has stated in several interviews that he intends to resign Omer Asik, regardless of the amount he would have to match. However, Chicago Bulls ownership is known to be reluctant to pay the NBA luxury tax, and only for a championship-caliber team.
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| The Bulls' Omer Asik has an offer from the Houston Rockets for 3 years, $25.1M. Chicago Bulls must decide if they want to match Houston's offer in order to keep the "Turkish Hammer". |
The 7-foot, 255-pound Turkish native was selected by the Portland Trailblazers with the 36th Overall Pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, and immediately traded to Chicago for three 2nd Round Picks.
Asik came over to the Chicago Bulls in 2010, and he averaged 2.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game in 12.1 minutes during his rookie season. He contributed to the Bulls reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. Asik raised his averages to 3.1 points, 5.3 boards, and 1.0 blocks per game while averaging 14.7 minutes in the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season.
His statistical contributions do not represent his true value to the Chicago Bulls in their quest for the NBA Championship. Asik's mobility, length, and defense are difficult for many teams to match, particularly, the Bulls main rivals, the Miami Heat. Losing Asik could mean the Bulls losing their biggest, most definitive edge over the Heat.
Bulls fans will just have to wait and see if the Bulls are able, and willing to keep Asik while most teams (not moving to Brooklyn) are increasingly conscious of the new punitive luxury tax rules.
Do you think the Bulls should keep Omer Asik?
