Omer Asik to sign 5-year, $60 million deal with Pelicans

Veteran center Omer Asik and the New Orleans Pelicans are "close to finalizing a deal," according to ESPN's Marc Stein. Asik will sign a five-year, $60 million deal when the moratorium ends on July 9, according to Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski.

The 28-year-old Asik is coming off a season in which he averaged 7.3 points and 9.8 rebounds in 26.1 minutes per game.

Asik is the third big man the Pelicans have inked to a long-term deal this week, following the five-year contract they handed Anthony Davis and the four-year deal they gave Alexis Ajinca.

Asik was traded to New Olreans last season after spending two in Houston and two in Chicago. In signing him to a longterm deal the Pelicans are ensuring that they have someone to protect Davis down in the paint. Asik will also allow Alvin Gentry, New Orleans' recently-hired head coach, to play a big lineup if he wants.