The Houston Rockets reportedly want free agent Chris Bosh badly enough to offer him a maximum contract. Bosh, whose future with the Miami Heat is uncertain, supposedly is giving the offer serious consideration.
With seemingly no chance of signing either LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony, Houston reportedly has shifted their focus to Bosh.
"Chris Bosh, after talking with LeBron James this past weekend, is seriously considering the Houston Rockets' maximum contract offer of four years, $96 million, according to sources close to the situation," ESPN's Chris Broussard wrote on Monday. "... (A) conversation with James about his future in Miami this past weekend created enough doubt for Bosh to begin considering his other options, including Houston's offer, a source said.
"The source said Bosh did not know whether or not James was staying in Miami."
James is expected to meet with Heat president Pat Riley sometime this week. Although James has held off meeting face-to-face with other teams to give Riley time to improve the roster, this week's meeting could result in James informing Miami he will now be visiting with prospective teams.
James's agent has already met with the Cleveland Cavaliers, who believe they can sign James, the Phoenix Suns and the Dallas Mavericks.
As for Bosh, he would likely find an expanded role with the Rockets. Houston needs a stretch-4 to help space the paint for center Dwight Howard. Bosh would also give Houston another scorer in addition to guard James Harden and small forward Chandler Parsons, assuming Houston is able to re-sign the free agent.
The Rockets would need to create salary cap space to sign Bosh. Guard Jeremy Lin would likely be the casualty of bringing Bosh to Houston; the Rockets reportedly are confident they can easily find a team willing to trade for Lin.
