Omer Asik, who hasn't played in the Rockets' past two games after demanding a trade, intends to practice on Monday and play in Tuesday's game vs. the Celtics.

According to beat writer Jonathan Feigen, Asik expressed his discontent during a team meeting on Thursday, but has changed his tune after talking to coach Kevin McHale, GM Daryl Morey, and several Rockets' teammates. Greg Smith (knee) is expected to miss another week, so even with Terrence Jones playing well at PF there should be considerable minutes available for Asik. This doesn't mean that Houston won't trade him if they receive a favorable offer, but the burning bridge between Asik and the Rockets may have been temporarily extinguished.

Omer Asik, who was benched on Thursday after demanding a trade, will not play on Saturday.

Kevin McHale said Asik is 'unavailable' and 'under the weather', which is code for 'disgruntled' and 'demanding a trade'. Greg Smith (knee) is out 10 days and Terrence Jones should be asked to play big minutes on Saturday. It's hard not to agree with teammate Chandler Parsons, who said regarding Asik's trade demand, "Greg Smith goes down, Marcus Camby has surgery so [Asik] is going to play at lot of minutes, so I don't know what he is so upset about. He has to come out here, perform and be a professional about it."

The Houston Rockets are talking to multiple teams about a trade of Omer Asik.

According to rival executives, the asking price is too high for Asik. The biggest trade rumor has been for Ryan Anderson of the Pelicans and that seems a awfully lopsided. The Rockets didn't play their backup center at all in Thursday's win and it's unclear how long they'll keep Asik benched. His owners should think about cutting him with his limited upside.

Omer Asik did not play against the Knicks on Thursday.

He requested a trade again and evidently he isn't happy about being with the second unit after his breakout season. It's unclear whose fault it was as to why Asik didn't play or how long this is going to take to blow over, but his upside isn't high enough for owners to keep him on their roster in most situations. Terrence Jones will start at power forward for the foreseeable future.

Omer Asik has asked the Rockets to be traded, according to his agent Andy Miller.

"I would say the situation is very frustrating right now and we're trying to work through it," Miller said. "For Omer, the objective has always been to continue to develop and grow as a player. That's why we came to Houston in the first place. If that objective can''t be met, if we can''t get the right platform to grow and contribute as a player, it''s certainly frustrating." It was only a matter of time and the Rockets going with Terrence Jones as the starting power forward on Wednesday was enough for Asik to voice his displeasure. He was in the perfect situation last year and there's almost no chance he can duplicate last year's numbers. He's not really worth keeping in most leagues while Jones is an interesting pickup for his upside.

Omer Asik will come off the bench on Wednesday against the Sixers.

Terrence Jones has beaten him out for the job and it seems like this is not a matchup-based move. Asik has really no game outside of five feet from the basket on either end of the floor and opponents have taken advantage. He can be cut in most leagues since he doesn't do much outside of blocks and boards to begin with.

Kevin McHale isn't committed to the frontcourt pairing of Dwight Howard and Omer Asik.

"That big lineup - I am 50/50 on that," McHale said. "It takes time, and the chemistry has to get better. Every time I think I am done with it, they do something that makes me want to keep trying it." Terrence Jones started the second half of Monday's game as McHale tried to spark the offense, after which McHale said, "I wanted to see how it looked, and I liked what I saw." A drift toward smaller lineups shouldn't affect Dwight Howard, but it would likely reduce Asik's playing time.

Omer Asik had four points, nine rebounds, a steal and two blocks in Saturday's comeback win over the Jazz, while Dwight Howard added 15 points, nine rebounds, a steal and two blocks.

Asik and Howard (three points in first half) have been crashing the boards hard this season, but Utah's Enes Kanter and Derrick Favors were able to slow their roll tonight. Howard remains a must-start, while Asik can be played by owners in need of boards and blocks. He's a borderline starter though, averaging just 4.5 points after three games.

Omer Asik started alongside Dwight Howard on Wednesday and had four points, 14 rebounds, a steal and two blocks in 26 minutes.

Granted, they were playing the Bobcats, but Asik and Dwight Howard combined for 18 points and 40 rebounds tonight, and the twin towers' experiment is in the so far, so good stage.

Omer Asik will be in the starting lineup for Wednesday's season opener.

According to Chandler Parsons, the Rockets will start Patrick Beverley, James Harden, Chandler Parsons, Dwight Howard, and Asik against the Bobcats on Wednesday. It will be interesting to see how Asik and Howard co-exist in the Rockets front court, but the news that Asik will start is a good sign for fantasy owners in search of rebounds and blocks.

Omer Asik had a quiet Friday night against the Grizzlies with four points, five boards and one assist in 18 minutes.

He shot 2-of-6 from the field and really missed some easy shots tonight. Asik looks like he'd best be used as the second-string center for his lack of basketball skills, so he's not someone we're targeting in drafts.

Omer Asik shot 2-of-7 from the field for four points with nine boards in 25 minutes on Monday.

He missed both of his attempts from the line and looked out of sorts at power forward. It doesn't make much sense that the Rockets use him at power forward since Dwight Howard needs room to operate. Asik is expected to see a decline after a breakout year in 2012-13.

Omer Asik (calf) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

He's been sidelined for a while and he's missed his target date to return a couple times. The Rockets have been experimenting with a stretch four for much of the preseason, which doesn't bode well for Asik's playing time. There's little reason to draft him in most leagues.

Omer Asik (calf) will not play in Wednesday's preseason game against the Magic.

He was hoping to play against the Pacers on Sunday, but that didn't happen. Coach Kevin McHale said Asik will target a preseason game, which makes him questionable to play on Monday. Asik not being able to play in the preseason with his new role could mean there's a lengthy adjustment period.

Omer Asik (strained calf) hopes to return in time for Sunday's game vs. the Pacers in Taipei, Taiwan.

This rules him out for Thursday's exhibition in Manila, which is sure to have a wild and festive atmosphere. Asik's injury isn't serious enough to alter his season outlook, but the arrival of Dwight Howard has eclipsed any fantasy appeal built up during the 2012-13 season.

Omer Asik (calf) will not play in the Rockets' preseason opener against the Pelicans on Saturday.

He hasn't practiced since straining his calf towards the end of Sunday's practice. Asik's injury is not considered serious and he should be considered questionable for Thursday's game. Marcus Camby and Francisco Garcia will also sit out.

Omer Asik did not practice on Thursday due to a calf injury.

The injury is not considered serious and we will update you if that changes. Asik will struggle to hold value in standard leagues this season now that Dwight Howard is in town.

Omer Asik (calf) did not practice on Tuesday.

He suffered a calf strain at the end of Sunday's practice and did not return. The injury is not considered serious and it shouldn't have an impact on his role in the regular season. Asik was surprisingly productive in his first year with the Rockets, but his numbers will take a hit with Dwight Howard around this season.

Omer Asik left Sunday's practice early due to a calf strain.

The injury is not considered serious and he's listed as day-to-day. Asik doesn't have any chronic calf issues and has been fairly durable through his career. As for his season outlook, his rebounding numbers are likely to take a hit with Dwight Howard in the paint, so fantasy owners might want to dismiss him as a late pick in favor of another player with more upside.

Omer Asik refused to comment on his reported offseason trade request when the team signed Dwight Howard.

"I have no comment on that, I'm just here to do my job," Asik said when asked about his trade request. Asik could play alongside Howard at times this season, but his fantasy value definitely took a hit when Howard came aboard. But in two-center leagues, he might be worth a late flier.