The Houston Rockets are getting set for a major move this summer and a trade for Rajon Rondo could be in the works alongside a potential trade for Kevin Love and while the team can't do both, they may look for those deals over signing Chandler Parsons back and that means the guard along with Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin could move in a trade to the Timberwolves or Boston Celtics.
The Rockets are coming off of a fine season with Dwight Howard and James Harden, but general manager Daryl Morey was disappointed with the loss in the playoffs to the Blazers and that could set the stage for a big move in the summer. According to ESPN.com, the Rockets have long been interested in trying to deal for Rondo, especially Morey, who is in love with the Celtics point guard and they could look to lay the groundwork for a deal even if it doesn't happen this offseason. The two teams nearly connected for a trade last season, but the Rockets balked at adding Chandler Parsons in the trade and it fell apart.
The Rockets went 54-28 last season and adding Rondo would be an immediate upgrade over Jeremy Lin and Patrick Beverley and that is not a knock on those two players, who played well for Houston this season. Rondo is a playmaker and distributor and he is not a shooter like Russell Westbrook and he could be the perfect complement for Howard and Harden as they try to build a championship team. Rondo had a solid season after coming back from a serious injury for the Celtics and while a long term contract is in the cards still, there is also a chance that Boston tries to trade Rondo and that could come after getting into the top 10 in the lottery.
Carmelo Anthony will be a target for the Rockets according to Marc Stein at ESPN.com and SI.com, as the Rockets feel that adding a player like Melo could put them over the top. The team obviously can't have Melo, Kevin Love and Rondo and they will have to decide what the best course of action is this summer. Anthony is very likely to leave New York after the way the team played last season and even with Phil Jackson in the fold, Anthony could be a bit down after missing the playoffs for the first time in his career. Anthony also likely realizes that the Knicks are very far away from being a championship contender, especially when compared to the Rockets.
The Knicks can offer him the most money and that is an advantage, but the Rockets will be able to compete if they can move either Omer Asik or Jeremy Lin, as those players are coming into the final years of their deals and are getting paid in the double digits. The team has to decide on Chandler Parsons as well, as he can be a restricted free agent this offseason or an unrestricted one next summer and Morey has until the end of next month to decide. The team could try and re-sign Parsons after next season, but if they want Love or Rondo, they likely will have to give up Parsons in any deal.
