The Houston Rockets are heading into the 2013-14 season with championship expectations after signing Dwight Howard and while the team loves its core of young players, there is still a chance they could trade Jeremy Lin to upgrade the point guard position as they make a title run.
According to Bleacher Report, there are a couple of situations that might fit for the Rockets, including moving Lin to the Magic for Arron Afflalo or trading for Sixers star Thaddeus Young. Lin, along with the other two players, have been mentioned in trade rumors over the summer, but obviously nothing serious moved along in those deals. The Rockets signed Lin to a ridiculous three-year, $25 million deal and the team also has point guard Patrick Beverley backing him up and he could be an option as well.
Then the Rockets signed Lin they knew it was a possibility they could get Howard as well and while Lin was solid while playing in 85 total games and averaging 13.4 points and 6.1 assists during the regular season, the team may want some more production from the position. Lin was injured in the playoffs and Beverley showed that he could handle the position and with Howard and James Harden looking to make a championship run, they may need someone with more experience than Lin.
Rajon Rondo helped the Celtics win the title as a young player, but Lin is no Rondo. Lin is still young and will be 25-years-old and since he is making $8.3 million this season, the team may want to try and get a cheaper option. The team signed Marcus Camby, Francisco Garcia and Omri Casspi and they could try and add another superstar in a trade or by signing him next season without Lin's money there. Daryl Morey is a GM with and analytical eye and if another player gives the team a batter chance to win than Lin, they will likely do that.
Beverley may not be able to be a fulltime point guard, but the team liked what he did last season and there is a chance that he could be a sleeper heading for a breakout year. The team is built big with Omer Asik and Terrence Jones and another team that could fit is the Phoenix Suns, as they have a number of players they could put in a deal. Last season Afflalo averaged 16.5 points and was very solid for the Magic and bringing Lin to play with young stars like Victor Oladipo could get the team back on track.
The Sixers have said that they will be a willing trade partner this season and after dealing Jrue Holiday that might be true. Young is a legitimate option to move after the team drafted Michael Carter-Williams and the 76ers are clearly rebuilding for the future now. Howard, James Harden and Chandler Parsons make for a nice core and it remains to be seen whether Lin will remain.
