More Offseason Analysis: Coaching changes, news | Free Agency | Draft
The Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers, two teams chasing superstars, are close to moving Jeremy Lin and Jarrett Jack, respectively, in order to create the cap room necessary to offer maximum contracts, according to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski:
Meanwhile, Rockets, Cavs pushing closer to creating max contract slots. Deals lined up for Jeremy Lin. Cavs shopping Jarrett Jack w/ a pick.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 5, 2014
Houston and Cleveland both reportedly met with LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul. The Rockets met with Carmelo Anthony, too, and will reportedly go after Chris Bosh if they don't get him. There was a report a couple of weeks ago that Houston had deals lined up for Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin, and Asik has since been moved to the New Orleans Pelicans. Lin wasn't impressed when the Rockets photoshopped Anthony in his No. 7 jersey. It looks like Anthony is going to stay in New York, however.
The Philadelphia 76ers are "a leading contender" to take on Lin, according to ESPN's Marc Stein, and they would presumably take back at least a first-round pick from the Rockets.
The Cavaliers reportedly explored trading Jack to the Brooklyn Nets for Marcus Thornton, but now it seems they'd rather dump him for cap room. Cleveland certainly did not expect to be thinking about sacrificing a draft pick to move Jack's contract when it signed him to a four-year, $25 million deal last summer. If the team feels it has a legitimate shot at James, though, it's a no-brainer.
