The Houston Rockets are on the brink in the playoffs and a loss could spark a wild summer for the team, as a trade for Rajon Rondo could be in the cards and names like Omer Asik, Jeremy Lin or Chandler Parsons could be moving if GM Daryl Morey decides that's a better 2014 option than going after LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony when they become free agents this offseason and it comes after the team lost to the Blazers in the playoffs.
The Rockets have long been interested in Rondo and last season there were reports that the team really tried to engage a deal with the Boston Celtics, but nothing came to fruition and now heading into the offseason the team could look at that again. Rondo came back from a serious injury and looked good this season, averaging 11 points and nine assists for the Celtics, who were very bad as they try to rebuild and while they have rebuffed trading Rondo, that could change this summer if they get a deal they like.
Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin have massive contracts and that make it hard to get a deal done, but they are also expiring deals and teams would possibly take those knowing they would be gone the season after this one. Asik averaged a double-double two years ago before getting demoted this season, while Lin has shown that he can be a very solid point guard and those could be potential options for the Rockets.
The Rockets also could look to sign Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James as free agents this summer, as both are expected to opt out of their deals with the Miami Heat and re New York Knicks and that could be huge for Daryl Morey, as he could create his own Big 3 for Dwight Howard and James Harden. The Rockets felt they could compete for a championship this season, but from the looks of it they still need one more superstar-ish player and getting one of those two names would be a big coup, as Miami and New York are expecting to retain the services of their stars.
Anthony is the more likely of the two to leave, as he had a very rough season with the Knicks despite playing very well, as the team slumped to a horrible start and couldn't get past it and for the first time in his career he missed the playoffs. Anthony has the luxury of getting wooed and he knows that the Knicks can pay him the most and give him the most years, but at this stage of his career he wants a championship and even with Phil Jackson in the fold, the Knicks look to be two years away from contending and that's being kind. The head coach hire for the team will have a major impact and Jackson has already met with Anthony regarding that decision.
The Rockets were the second highest scoring team in the league this year, but at times they did not run as well as Morey would like and that is why he wants a general like Rondo. Rondo has championship experience and he could be the missing piece for the Rockets as they try to make a push for an NBA title with Dwight Howard.
