Sixers Looking to Make a Deal for Omer Asik?

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

Asik is a 7’0″, defensive-minded center, who could provide toughness that no player in the 2014 draft class can provide.

He could give the Sixers an extremely stingy defensive team, especially in the paint area with Asik and Nerlens Noel playing next to each other.

ESPN.com NBA insider Marc Stein says the Sixers could be a fit for Omer Asik:

Keep your eye on Philadelphia. Front-runner would be overstating it, but the notion that the Sixers are a viable destination for Asik is increasingly making the rounds. And that certainly makes sense given (A) Philly's front office is run by a certified Asik fan in former Rockets exec Sam Hinkie and (B) Philly has a frontcourt player to send back to Houston inThaddeus Young, whose skill set can click with Dwight Howard's, albeit not as well as seemingly unattainable dream target Ryan Anderson; and (C) there really isn't an Asik for Philly to draft with the high pick it's likely to snag in the 2014 lottery.

One name that Stein thinks could be on the move in a deal involving Asik is forward Thaddeus Young, who he feels is a good fit playing next to Dwight Howard in Houston.

Do I love the move?  Not in love with it, but I do think Asik provides some major interior toughness to this team.  He also adds a solid shot blocking, rebounding defensive presence that makes teams thinks twice about taking the ball to the basket.

Young has two years left on his deal, but Asik could be a replacement for Young's toughness and give them a seven-footer to replace Spencer Hawes should he be traded (one would think if you make this deal, Hawes would be traded next).