The Houston Rockets have traded Omer Asik to the New Orleans Pelicans for a future first round pick.

The Rockets will also send $1.5 million cash to the Pelicans as part of the deal, which won't become official until after July 1.

Asik has been on the trade block since the Rockets signed Dwight Howard last July.

The Rockets are attempting to clear cap space to sign either LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony. Houston could also create additional cap space by trading Jeremy Lin.

Zach Lowe of ESPN reports the pick to the Rockets will be conveyed in 2015 only if it is outside of the top 2/3 of the lottery or better than a top-20 selection.

Anthony Davis has spent the offseason adding strength, saying he is already up to 238 pounds after starting the past season at 230 pounds.

Davis has also focused on improving his outside shot.

“I’m up to 238 right now. It’s all muscle, and that’s what I need,” Davis said. “I want to get stronger, so that when I post up, it’s a lot easier for me. I think it’s going to translate to the season, just my mentality, knowing that I’m a lot stronger and a lot better. It’s going to make me more aggressive.

“I’m definitely working on the corner three-pointer. (Also) more post moves, a consistent mid-range jump shot, ball-handling. Those are the things I’m working on right now to get better. But at the same time, touching up on the things I’m pretty good at.”

Davis was selected to the NBA All-Star team in 2013-14, when he averaged 20.8 points, 10 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in 67 total games.

Davis is listed at 6-foot-10 but believes he could also be getting taller, half-jokingly saying he hopes to stay in the 6-foot-something range.

“I hope not,” Davis said on whether he’s still growing. “I don’t want to be 7 feet. It just (sounds) weird, to be a 7-footer. I’d like to be 6-10, but if I grow, you can’t really do anything about it. You can’t help it.”

Greg Monroe expects a bevy of suitors as a restricted free agent next month, including possible interest from the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs, Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks.

"From what I have been told, it'll be like that (college recruiting) a little bit," Monroe said. "But the NBA has really strict rules and you can't talk about it until July 1. Different things come out about teams who are interested, but I won't know for sure until July 1 when I can actually talk to them.

"I'm hoping and praying that I will have some options. As it looks right now I will have some. But I am just preparing myself and doing the normal things that I would around this time, working out. And on July 1, I'll be with my agent and we'll go through the process together."

The New Orleans Pelicans have made inquiries to the Pistons about a potential sign-and-trade scenario, according to a source.

Monroe has been in contact with the Detroit Pistons' front office and is not ruling out a return to the team. The trio of Monroe, Andre Drummond and Josh Smith did not prove successful this season.

"I've been in communication with [Stan] Van Gundy," Monroe said. "I met with him and he understands the position I am in right now and I am going to go through the process. I haven't met (new general manager Jeff) Bower yet. But I have met with Van Gundy and have kept in constant contact with him through text messages."

The New Orleans Pelicans are exploring trade discussions to acquire a first round pick in this month's NBA Draft, according to a source.

The Pelicans are aggressively pursuing a first rounder to select either a small forward or center.

The Pelicans traded the sixth pick in the draft and another 2014 pick in last year's Jrue Holiday-Nerlens Noel trade.

Dell Demps had said the Pelicans would likely put their attention toward free agency.

''Players that are coming into the league are so young now,'' Demps said last month. ''I like the guys that we have on our roster. Obviously, if we can get a draft pick that improves your roster. But most times, you look for a veteran guy or you might get an older college (four-year) player.''