The Houston Rockets want Dwight Howard and are willing to move as many pieces around in order to be able to give him the best contract offer of any team out there. Houston is feeling very confident about their chances after having already shed a few contracts to make room, but are still looking at one or two trades to free up cap space. CBS Sports reports the Rockets are seeking trades for either Omer Asik or Jeremy Lin to land Howard.
The Rockets will be the first up to meet with Howard and are confident the big man comes to Houston. They are finishing clearing cap space, trading Thomas Robinson to the Portland Trail Blazers, but that is not enough. Houston believes both Lin and Asik are expendable and could be favorable to several teams. The idea of trading Lin is surprises considering they have little depth at point guard, but Houston is willing to do whatever it takes for Howard.
Both Lin and Asik signed three-year deals last season and are owed over $8 million in salary over the next two seasons. They total up about $25 million on backloaded contracts. Asik could find himself in Philadelphia when the new general manager is former Houston executive Sam Hinkie. The Detroit Pistons are looking towards Lin.
CBS Sports is also reporting that Lin is an option in a sign-and-trade involving Jose Calderon and Houston. Calderon is an unrestricted free agent and while Detroit would like to re-sign him, they need a plan B. Calderon is an excellent option for Detroit as he averaged 11.6 points and 6.6 assists, but could be committed to leaving Detroit.
Lin started all 82 games for Houston, averaging 13.4 points per game and would be a great addition for Detroit is Calderon leaves. With Lin, Brandon Knight stays at shooting guard and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope can come off the bend.
Most of this is a longshot from happening. It seems unlikely that Houston would let Lin walk after signing him to the large contract last season. It all depends on how desperate the team is to land Howard. Certainly several teams could show interest in Lin if the Rockets are serious about getting rid of him.
