Who Gets Dealt First: Asik or Shumpert?

Although the league’s cut off point for trades isn’t until February 20th, I think it would be a safe bet that both players will be hooping in different area codes way before the All Star break.

Asik, whom numerous times has requested a trade, now that Dwight Howard is the starting center in Houston, was even inactive during a recent few Rockets games, but put in a valiant effort over the weekend, grabbing 8 rebounds in only 13 minutes of play against Minnesota.

Supposedly there have been several offers for the defensive oriented 7 footer, who finished last season Top 5 in rebounding, ranging anywhere from his old team in Chicago, Boston, New Orleans, to Minnesota.

But the asking price is pretty steep for Asik, as not only does he want to start in his new destination, but the Rockets want a fortune in return, namely a stretch 4 that can keep Howard closer to the rim plus a first round selection.

With the recent development of younger players Terrence Jones and Donatas Motiejunas, the Rockets now have more time to pick and chose their options.

Iman Shumpert on the other hand, is New York’s most trade-able asset.  Maybe their only one…………

But he has fallen out of favor with current Knicks coach Mike Woodson, demoted to the bench in favor of last season’s 6th Man of the Year JR Smith, in an attempt to infuse more offense into the starting line-up.

The Knicks are clearly struggling and potentially in emergency stage, falling to 3-9 with another disappointing loss to the Wizards over the weekend.

A large part of New York’s failures this season has to be because of the unfortunate injury to All Star big man Tyson Chandler who isn’t expected back for another month due to a fractured fibula.

The Knicks would surely want some frontcourt help back in return, as Kenyon Martin, Andrea Bargnani, Amare Stoudemire, and Metta World Peace currently take turns manning the middle but hey have also been rumored to be trying to pry Rajon Rondo away from the Celtics in a blockbuster that would also include Ray Felton and Stoudemire.

New York is much more desperate as they can’t sit pat and let the losses continue to pile up until Chandler’s return but another team might need to be involved because the Knicks also want a 1st Round pick back in return.  Remember, New York is also in a precarious position as they are trying to convince Carmelo Anthony to re-sign following next season.

Who gets traded first, Omer Asik or Iman Shumpert?