Celtics,Rockets working on the deal for Asik

The Celtics and Rockets are "close" to a trade that would send disgruntled center Omer Asik to Boston for forward Brandon Bass, swingman Courtney Lee and a first-round pick, according to an NBA source.

The two sides are haggling over which first-round pick the Celtics would relinquish. Boston has nine first-round picks over the next five drafts but would rather not give up one of its two picks in the 2014 draft. The Celtics would much rather give Houston their No. 1 pick from the Los Angeles Clippers in 2015, which is expected to be in the lower first round.

Asik has been unhappy in Houston since the club acquired Dwight Howard in the summer. General manager Daryl Morey envisioned the duo playing together, but Asik never warmed to the idea and demanded a trade. Morey has apparently set a Thursday deadline for the deal and the Celtics, seeking their first legitimate center in his prime since Kendrick Perkins left, showed interest.