The Chicago Bulls have officially declined to match the Rockets' three-year, $25 million deal for center Omer Asik, as it's been reported by the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson. This means Asik will join Jeremy Lin this upcoming season as the Rockets' two major free agent splashes.
Asik averaged just over 14 minutes a game last season, and boasts a 2.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in his two-year career. And he might be the Rockets' starting center.
For the Bulls, it didn't make much sense to bring back Asik, especially at such a high price when they were able to sign a proven veteran in Nazr Mohammed this offseason. This allows Chicago to preserve its long term salary cap flexibility, as the team is likely in hopes of adding more star power with Derrick Rose.
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