The Rockets officially announced the signing of Omer Asik Tuesday. The Rockets also announced that the had been informed the Bulls would not match the reported three-year, $25 million offer sheet for the Turkish center.
The move is a risky one for the Rockets, who now have $50 million over the next three years committed to a reserve center and a point guard who played 35 games last year. That's a hefty investment on two players not considered stars.
But the Rockets paid higher than market value for positional need, after letting Goran Dragic go in free agency and trading Kyle Lowry, and then moving Samuel Dalembert. The Rockets remain in the chas for Dwight Howard, but would have the most size of any team in the West with a Howard-Asik combination at the five spot.
Rockets GM Daryl Morey said in a statement:
"We are excited to add Omer to our roster,” said Morey. “Omer has proven to be a defensive force at every stop in his career – in the Turkish league, in FIBA’s World Championships and EuroBasket competitions, and of course for the past two years for the Chicago Bulls. We are excited to add his rim protection, his rebounding, and the defensive mentality Omer brings to each play.”
