NBA Free Agent Rumors 2014: Houston Rockets May Target Miami’s Chris Bosh If They Can’t Sign Carmelo Anthony
The Houston Rockets are reportedly planning to lure free agent forward Chris Bosh if they fail in their bid to acquire Carmelo Anthony, who is the team's primary target this summer.
The Rockets are still hoping that their recruiting pitch to Anthony on Wednesday will be a successful one, but ESPN reported they have also informed Bosh's representatives about their interest in the All-Star power forward.
Bosh, who averaged 16.2 points and 6.6 rebounds with the Miami Heat last season, intrigues the Rockets because of his ability to shoot, and they believe that the 11-year-veteran could be the perfect front-court partner to superstar center Dwight Howard.
The Rockets are also interested in Dirk Nowitzki, but the veteran forward has reportedly agreed to a fresh three-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks.
Most executives are still convinced at this point that Bosh is still prioritizing the Heat, but the Rockets are reportedly gaining confidence that they can pry the former Georgia Tech standout away from Miami.
"Sources say the Rockets are determined to test Bosh's resolve in the event Anthony elects to return to the New York Knicks or chooses one of his other three primary suitors this week: the Chicago Bulls, the Dallas Mavericks or the Los Angeles Lakers," Marc Stein of ESPN wrote.
Ken Berger of CBS Sports reported, though, that interested teams should be willing to offer a maximum deal to at least have Bosh consider signing with them. Sources indicated that Bosh could turn down a discounted deal from the Heat in favor of a four-year maximum contract.
"League sources say there will be a close-to-max market for Bosh if Anthony and James stay with their respective teams. One of those people, an executive with a rival team, said the growing belief around the league is that Bosh would prefer a four-year max deal with another team to a discounted longer deal with Miami," Berger wrote.
The Rockets have been looking for ways to create cap space for a maximum contract for another superstar.
Houston recently traded Omer Asik to the New Orleans Pelicans, and multiple reports indicated that Jeremy Lin will be traded soon, especially after the Rockets used his No. 7 jersey during their recruiting pitch to Anthony.
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