Bulls have no plans to trade Asik to Houston

The Bulls are investigating potential upgrades at shooting guard, but they have no interest in trading center Omer Asik to Houston for guard Courtney Lee.

This possibility was suggested in the Houston Chronicle. With Yao Ming’s career possibly over, the Rockets have a clear need for another center. But the Bulls like Asik’s potential too much to give him up in this sort of deal, a league source confirmed.

Asik showed his value in each of the last two games when the Bulls’ defense struggled to stop Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge and the Utah duo of Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap. Asik’s size and quickness made it tougher for those opponents to score.

The Bulls still are looking for options as the Feb. 24 trade deadline approaches. But they are more interested in dealing draft picks than moving a key player right now. They should have several shooting guard options this summer.