We haven’t heard nearly as much about potential pitches for LeBron James as we did back in 2010. Perhaps it’s because most think LeBron will be staying in Miami, or maybe it’s because teams like the Knicks and Nets have no cap space this time around. However, the Rockets reportedly don’t plan on letting this opportunity slip away without swinging for the fences. From Bleacher Report:
League sources say that Houston is preparing to make an all-out push to land James when free agency opens on July 1, assuming James opts out, as expected. If the Rockets miss out on James, they will turn their full attention to Carmelo Anthony. Chris Bosh is also on the radar.
There are rumblings that James will start weighing his options this weekend. One rival executive pegged his chances of leaving Miami at 40 percent.
The competition for James’ affection will be fierce, but Houston’s pitch may be tough to beat.
The Rockets already have the league’s best guard-center tandem (Harden-Howard), solid young role players (Chandler Parsons (who is set to become a restricted free agent), Patrick Beverley, Terrence Jones) and an owner (Les Alexander) who is willing to spend. Houston also has all of its first-round picks for the next couple of years as well as a knack for finding talent late in the draft.
