After striking out on signing Chris Bosh, the Rockets are in scramble mode, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Houston might have some major rebuilding to do after shipping out Jeremy Lin in a cap-clearing move, and Omer Asik is still set to depart as soon as the Pelicans create room to finalize that separate agreement. Here’s the latest on Houston’s latest turbulence, including more from Feigen’s article:
- The Rockets have been in contact with free agent small forwards Luol Deng and Trevor Ariza, a sign that they are considering alternatives to matching the Mavs offer sheet signed by Chandler Parsons, writes Feigen. Houston was prepared to pay Parsons a max salary as a piece in a premier lineup featuring Bosh, but is less eager to do so now.
- Paul Pierce recently showed interest in joining the Rockets, although Feigen is unsure if that interest was contingent on Houston obtaining Bosh.
- The talks with Deng and Ariza were described as “advanced” by Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com (on Twitter). McMahon considers the development a good sign for Dallas’ hopes of acquiring Parsons, but notes that nothing is yet certain.
- However, Houston appears out of the running for Deng, according to Marc Stein of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Stein says the Rockets are “still in the hunt” for Ariza.
- The Rockets have joined the Heat, Cavs, and Mavs in pursuit of Chris Andersen, tweets Jared Zwerling of Bleacher Report.
- Earlier, we passed along news that the Rockets have reached a snag in contract negotiations with No. 25 pick Clint Capela.