Over the past two seasons, the Houston Rockets have made several marquee moves to bring in top players and a solid supporting cast, but so far that has not equated to any lasting postseason success. This season, after adding Dwight Howard into the mix, they lost to the Portland Trail Blazers in a shocking upset. That has left the team back at square one and chasing marquee free agents yet again. With only two players guaranteed a roster spot next season, who gets sent packing come July 1?
According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, the Rockets are willing to trade everyone on the roster outside of James Harden and Howard. Now that is a pretty bold statement to make, but recent moves show it is pretty true. Since last offseason, the Rockets have been shopping center Omer Asik and point guard Jeremy Lin. This year they are dangling Chandler Parsons if it means they can get a big deal in return. Terrence Jones is also an option.
Kyler writers that getting rid of Jones, Lin and Asik would have just $40.2 million committed to contracts and $22.7 million to work with. With the extra money, who does the team chase? Kyler believes Houston is dumping the roster in order to acquire Carmelo Anthony in free agency. Compared to the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks, the Rockets could have the better roster for the guard to join.
The Knicks could seek a sign-and-trade of sorts involving Lin and Asik. Both of their contracts would come off the books in 2015, putting New York in great salary cap shape for a big run that summer, but would not do much for them in 2014. Houston attempted to make a move like that at the trade deadline this year, but the Knicks would not finalize the move.
There is also the Kevin Love option. The Rockets are keeping a close eye on the Timberwolves forward who wants out of Minnesota. The Rockets could create a package involving Asik, Lin or Parsons while tossing in a draft pick as well.
No matter what, the Rockets will do anything to get Lin and Asik off their books. Both players are certainly not slouches in the talent department and would be worth something and the Rockets are hoping other teams see that as well. All signs point towards both being gone come next year, but the future for Parsons is not as clear. He is certainly worth a deal, but fans likely do not like the idea of getting rid of the forward. He will be the more popular trade piece considering how under paid he is on an expiring contract.
Houston has options. They have plenty of trade pieces to work with. The question now remains which player they target in return.