James Harden wants another star in Houston. That is easier said than done considering the lack of salary cap space the Rockets have, but free agents are listening to the runner-up of the NBA MVP award. Houston has several players that could re-sign and enter next year with the same unit in place or they could try their hand at negotiating with another star as LaMarcus Aldridge takes a meeting with Daryl Morey and company.
According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Aldridge will meet with the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets first in free agency as he prepares to leave the Portland Trail Blazers. The power forward has several meeting lined up in the coming days once the free agent market opens up and is expected to command a large contract. The issue is whether or not the Rockets can truly offer it.
Right now, the Rockets have Josh Smith and Corey Brewer becoming unrestricted free agents and will garner attention given how critical they were to the Rockets' success in the postseason. Patrick Beverley will be an unrestricted free agent and confirmed to the Houston Chronicle that there is a lot of interest in him. Houston has a majority of the salary cap space wrapped up in three players which means if they are really going to land Aldridge, they must do some trading.
According to the Chronicle, the only way the Rockets can improve the roster is by trading. Morey told the media that he simply wants to retain the talent of the past season first and foremost, but will he maintain that belief if Aldridge expresses serious interest?
Getting Aldridge means Trevor Ariza likely gets traded. Aldridge is an upgrade at the position and Ariza holds enough value in the league to get the Rockets a nice return package. Terrence Jones could be offered up as well to sweeten the deal for a team. Could that type of trade package be used to acquire a point guard? According to ESPN, both Ty Lawson and Eric Bledsoe are available to acquire and with Beverley leaving, the Rockets have a need at the position. That would allow the Rockets to free up the cap space for Aldridge and replace Beverley while leaving Smith and Brewer to potentially sign smaller contracts until the salary cap expands in 2016.
The Rockets are going to be forced to be creative. The team does not have the finances to get a big star plus fill in other holes on the roster. Unless Aldridge is taking a big pay cut, Morey has his work cut out for him.
