The list of suitors for Chicago Bulls center Omer Asik continues to grow. The Cleveland Cavaliers were the first team to reportedly have interested in the Bulls' restricted free agent, and today long-time Chicago rumormonger Sam Smith says the Boston Celtics are "considering a strong offer" to attain the services of Chicago's backup big man.
The Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets are also said to have interest in Asik.
Smith says the Celtics believe getting Asik would help Boston bring back Kevin Garnett, who's set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Garnett shined at center this season, but has long preferred playing power forward. For a Celtics team that has always been defense-first, an Asik-Garnett frontline would surely be among the league's most potent at defending the paint.
The Bulls face some tough decisions this offseason, and none may be more difficult than bringing back Asik. The Turkish big man can't sign for more than the mid-level exception in his first season, though suitors can back-load the deal to discourage the Bulls from matching the offer sheet. For a team already pushing towards the luxury tax, a viable backup center may too much to afford.
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