The Houston Rockets have privately insisted Omer Asik is not available in trade as long as the big man continues to play well alongside Dwight Howard.

Despite Asik's reported desire of a trade over the offseason, the Rockets have kept him and started him with Howard in the frontcourt.

Howard and Asik combined for 40 rebounds in the Rockets' season opening win against the Charlotte Bobcats, who as a team grabbed 37 rebounds.