The Celtics and Rockets are in "serious talks" for a deal sending Omer Asik to Boston for Brandon Bass, Courtney Lee and a first round pick, according to Yahoo! Sports.

The Boston Herald adds the Celtics are open to discussion and "are sitting tight, not pursuing anything" regarding Asik. Boston has actually been solid with their interior defense this season, but they do lack some depth. There isn't much upside on Asik, so he's not much of a stash for owners that would have to cut someone they're going to miss. Brandon Bass' arrival could potentially impact Terrence Jones' playing time while Asik should play around Bass' 29.5 minutes per game in Boston's frontcourt rotation.

The Rockets "remain on course" to trade Omer Asik by Thursday, according to ESPN.com.

The Celtics and 76ers are the two most likely teams to land Asik, with the Celts being "increasingly active" in recent days, but any deal could involve a minimum of three teams.

Omer Asik (thigh) did not practice with the Rockets on Monday.

He's missed six games with his bruised right thigh and doesn't have a timetable to return. Of course, the reason he's been in the news is the trade rumors of him possibly sent to Philadelphia, Boston, Cleveland or Atlanta. Nothing is imminent and Asik doesn't have much upside to be stashed in standard leagues.

There are "strong rumbles" that the 76ers will be involved in a trade for Omer Asik, according to ESPN's Marc Stein, but the Celtics, Cavaliers and Hawks have also been mentioned as possible trade partners.

A team's involvement doesn't mean that they'll land Asik, as this could turn into a three-team deal with numerous moving pieces. 76ers writer Bob Cooney reports that there's "nothing imminent" on the trade front for Philly, and we'll pass along Asik-sweepstakes updates as they become available.

Cleveland is "not interested in acquiring Asik," according to the Akron Beacon Journal.

The Cavs appear hesitant to take on the $14.9 million Asik is owed next year. Trade rumors are swirling involving Asik and Anderson Varejao. However with Andrew Bynum rediscovering his game, at least one league source told the Akron Beacon Journal that the Cavs prefer to keep Varejao for his ability to play both power forward and center. The source also said the Cavs would listen to offers if the Rockets needed a third team involved in a trade to move Asik, but that the Turkish big man wouldn't be heading to Cleveland.

The Pelicans and Bucks are "no longer in the mix" for Omer Asik, according to USA Today.

It never really made sense for the Pelicans to trade one of the best stretch power forwards in the NBA, Ryan Anderson, for Asik. As for the Bucks, they're likely heading to one of the worst records in the NBA, so bringing on talent to help this year could be viewed as detrimental. Asik could be traded soon, but he's unlikely to match his production from last year no matter where he ends up.

TNT's David Aldridge stated that the Houston Rockets will trade center Omer Asik (bruised thigh) by next Wednesday or Thursday, and that the Cavs could be a potential landing spot.

It is rumored that the Rockets may be interested in a trade involving Omer Asik and Anderson Varejao. If Asik is traded to Cleveland he will likely be in a similar backup role that he is now in Houston, but behind Andrew Bynum. Although given Bynum's injury history, it's not out of the question to speculate Asik could eventually take over the starting position. If you have a spot on your roster, and you're desperate for a center, it wouldn't be the worst idea to take a flier on Asik and see how this situation pans out.

Omer Asik recently changed his agent from Andy Miller to high-profile Arn Tellem of the Wasserman Media Group.

It may be a few weeks before the move is official, but it's one more indication that Asik is disgruntled with a backup role in Houston. He's currently sidelined with what the team is calling a 'bruised thigh' and we may not see him play another game for the Rockets, who are actively shopping him around the league.

Omer Asik (bruised thigh) has officially been ruled out vs. the Trail Blazers on Thursday.

The fact that Houston ruled him out two days before the game suggests that his absence has more to do with the Rockets' desire to trade him. The 76ers have been floated as one potential landing spot, and the Rockets may prefer to deal him to the Eastern Conference, but for now no deal is imminent.

The 76ers may be a "viable destination" for disgruntled Rockets center Omer Asik, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.

Stein presents the rumor cautiously, supporting the "notion" with circumstantial evidence such as GM Sam Hinkie's affinity for Asik, the Sixers' ability to send Thaddeus Young to Houston in return, and the scarcity of a defensive difference-maker like Asik in the 2014 draft. There have been "rumbles" that the Rockets would prefer to deal Asik to the Eastern Conference, but at the moment this is little more than scuttlebutt.

The Rockets have reportedly ramped up discussions with potential trade partners for Omer Asik (bruised right thigh).

It's unclear where Asik will land, which leaves his future fantasy value murky at best. Due to the fact that Asik contributes nothing more than boards and blocks, and it's unknown if he'll get minutes where he lands, the wire seems a suitable place for the Turkish big man right now.

Omer Asik (bruised right thigh) will miss one week, after which he'll be re-evaluated.

The injury shifts Donatas Motiejunas up in the rotation and ensures that Kevin McHale will deploy small lineups off his bench, which should mean more minutes for Omri Casspi.

Omer Asik had 10 points, nine rebounds and a block in 20 minutes of Wednesday's win.

He also had two points and 10 rebounds in 21 minutes on Monday, and appears to be back in the good graces of Kevin McHale. He's still not a must-own player, but is at least worth monitoring closely now that he's out of the doghouse.

Omer Asik helped the Rockets take control of Monday's win with his solid play down the stretch, finishing with 10 boards to go with two points in 21 minutes.

Asik helped lock down Zach Randolph but he did not have a steal or block and because the second unit had been playing well in the second half it's probable that Kevin McHale saw this as a good time to feed him some minutes. Hanging on to Asik at this time is essentially a bet that he's going to get traded, and there's not enough reward for that in most formats.

Omer Asik played sparingly for the second-straight game, but Kevin McHale was non-committal about his future usage.

Asked about his rotation, Kevin McHale remarked, "I think everybody would like to have a rotation they're comfortable with and guys know when they're coming in and out of the game. We're still in the process of getting that sorted out. We should be able to settle into a rotation hopefully soon." McHale declined to add what role Asik would play as part of that finalized rotation, but actions speak louder than words as the disgruntled center has only played 9.5 minutes per game in his last two contests after being benched due to a trade demand. Asik's fantasy stock has plummeted to the point where he's really only worth only in the deepest of leagues.

Omer Asik scored one point with five boards and one block in 12 minutes against the Mavericks on Wednesday.

Asik played just seven minutes on Tuesday and his stock has dropped even more from earlier this season. OA's fantasy value was more or less dead on arrival once Dwight Howard came to town and he's not worth owning in almost all leagues.

Omer Asik played seven minutes off the bench on Tuesday, finishing with four points and four rebounds.

His minutes came late in a game already decided and it's clear he's no longer a focal point for Kevin McHale. Maybe they'll turn him loose at some point to showcase him for a trade, but we're not holding our breath.

Kevin McHale said that Omer Asik is "available" to play vs. Boston on Tuesday, but wouldn't commit to playing him as a starter or off the bench.

The Celtics' small lineups don't bode well for Asik's playing time under the best of circumstances, and his recent trade demand coupled with Terrence Jones' solid play make him a risky option in all formats.

Omer Asik had a "good day" at Monday's practice, according to coach Kevin McHale.

"I thought he practiced hard, got back and had a good day," McHale said. "It's important that he gets back out, starts playing, gets in rhythm, and back with his teammates." Asik has sat out of the last two games and it's unclear how many minutes he'll see in the upcoming week. The Rockets have a back-to-back set coming up against the Celtics on Tuesday then going to Dallas on Wednesday. There's little reason to keep Asik on standard-league rosters while Terrence Jones is one of the hottest pickups in most formats.

Omer Asik returned to practice on Monday, as expected, after being benched for the Rockets' past two games following a trade demand.

He said he hopes to play on Tuesday and the Rockets will surely deploy him with Greg Smith (knee) out of commission. This doesn't mean that Asik is satisfied with his role, or that Houston won't trade him once they receive a suitable offer, but for now he's willing to do his job on the court. This soap opera isn't over yet.