By Fitzgerald Cecilio

Chicago, IL

The Houston Rockets finally acquired a center, but it is not Dwight Howard.

Turkish 7-footer Omer Asik has officially joined the Rockets as the Chicago Bulls declined to match Houston's three-year, $25.1 million offer to the unrestricted free agent center.

"It was a difficult decision because Omer did a nice job for us," Bulls general manager Gar Forman said. "Matching the offer for Omer could have put us in a difficult position going forward in trying to acquire high-level talent. We wish Omer good luck and continued success."

The Rockets signed Asik to a three-year offer sheet with a $15 million salary in 2014-15 season, which the Bulls refused to match considering their current salary cap situation.

Houston also successfully managed to lure Jeremy Lin out of New York with the same kind of offer sheet, with a $15 million salary in the third year.

The Knicks declined to match Houston's offer to Lin as they would exceed the salary cap and pay between $30 million luxury tax in 2015.

Asik averaged 3.1 points and 5.3 rebounds coming off the Bulls' bench.

As replacement for Asik, the Bulls are expected to sign veteran center Nazr Mohammed, who averaged 2.7 points in 11 minutes per game for Oklahoma City Thunder last season. Mohammed is expected to sign for the veteran's minimum, which is $1.3 million.

Meanwhile, the Bulls finalized a deal for Marco Belinelli, a former first-round pick by Golden State who averaged 11.8 points last season with the New Orleans Hornets.

The Bulls also announced the signing of free agent guard Kirk Hinrich, originally drafted seventh overall by Chicago in 2003.

"We are pleased to be able to bring Kirk back to Chicago. His ability to play both spots in the backcourt will help us immensely this season," said Forman. "Kirk's tenacity and passion for the game complement our style of play, and we look forward to seeing him back in a Bulls uniform."

Hinrich played the first seven seasons of his career with the Bulls but was traded to the Wizards in 2010. Last year with the Atlanta Hawks, he played in 48 games and averaged 6.6 points per game.

 

Bulls Decline to Match Rockets Offer to Center Omer Asik