Pelicans Trade for Omer Asik

Um, wow.

Per ESPN, New Orleans has just acquired Houston center Omer Asik for a protected 2015 first rounder. The protections dictate that the pick will go to Houston if it falls "between the late lottery" and #20 overall.

Tons more reaction to come but: this should put an end to any Greg Monroe pursuits and set the Pelicans front court for the upcoming year.

2014-2015 is the last year on Omer Asik's contract. While his cap hit is only $8.4M, he's due around $15M this season. In one sense, New Orleans just traded away a second consecutive first rounder for an expiring contract. Welp.