Are the Rockets now a more attractive destination for FA

[Htownballa1622]

Lin AND Asik's contract are treated as $8.37M per year for 3 years in terms of cap hit.

SO...

Harden - $15m
Lin - $8.37M
Asik - $8.37M

Total Cap hit - $31.7M

The backload of the contract is only how much they take home on their paycheck, for Houston it's not the amount that gets counted against their cap.

They also have a number of expirings and non-guaranteed contracts that they can dump, trade, waive, etc.

They have enough room to get a Max player if they want one.

Funny seeing people's comments about large contracts when they're misinformed.

[Wrigheyes4MVP]

Still way too much money for Asik lol.

[torocan]

Still way too much money for Asik lol.

Name some better Centers you can get for $8M through FA?

[Dade County]

They still have a very strange mix of players on that team. Probably not playoff contenders now, but they will be eventually. Don't see CP3, Dwight or Bynum leaving their spots though.

I do...

All 3 of them can bounce to a new team, and I wanted be shocked.

[astrosmaniac]

The rockets have enough $$$ for a max contract even after considering rookie deals for next years draft and if they pick up options on Parsons, Morris, Patterson.

Also it's a great testament to Morey's foresight as a GM in how he structures his contracts for 2nd round picks. 2 years guaranteed, 2 more as Team Options. Imagine if parsons has a good year and then we'd have to worry about teams poison pulling him with deals like we did with asik and Lin.

[John Walls Era]

It was already a tax free state so it might be attractive to a second or 3rd tier star.

[John Walls Era]

They still have a very strange mix of players on that team. Probably not playoff contenders now, but they will be eventually. Don't see CP3, Dwight or Bynum leaving their spots though.

Ever since Lebron left and went to his biggest rival in the East, nothing surprises me. Especially those 3 who have shown very little loyalty (not saying they're unloyal guys, but they all wanted to leave -- cept Bynum, but he didnt mind leaving kobe's team).

[Daze9900]

"The Rockets are back!" (in my Amare' Stoudamire voice)

[SINCESTARBURY25]

The rockets should get josh smith,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I like smith,,,,,,,,,,,, im from georgia,,,
......

[Hawkeye15]

kevin love might be next if t-wolves don't make the playoffs

in 4 years maybe...

[JordansBulls]

This off-season they will still have room for a max contract. But do you think they can draw someone in?

They always have been especially with the Yao and Tmac combo.

[Ebbs]

I doubt it. I would say their best bet is Bynum

[Matrix3132]

Name some better Centers you can get for $8M through FA?

Don't bother, many don't realize how difficult it is to find a legit big man in today's nba.

I actually think asik could be a most improved player candidate...

[WhiteSoxGod]

Houston is a big market but Texas?

Ew...just saying lol. XD

Texas is way better than California economically speaking. Tax-free state, Top business state, great weather, top economic climate, good education, budget surplus, it's own electrical grid (there is 3 in the country eastern U.S., Western U.S., and Texas) meaning lower energy costs (this leads to lower goods costs such as food, clothing, and luxury). Many athletes make Texas home in the off-season.Usually when athletes come here they stay.

Its weird, players who play in Houston end up staying here forever, meaning, they build a house, buy a business, etc. Tax reasons, cost of living, weather, night life, etc. But for some reason, recently, they haven't been able to lure big time free agents.

Having Harden locked up quickly, and STILL having max contract room will probably change that next year, as the Rockets can even get involved in a SnT with a lot of young assets they still have. I don't think they make the playoffs this season as they are, but they sped up their rebuilding process in a huge way.

Exactly. The Rockets still have a lot of Assets. They can sign a max, pick up all options, and still sign another $ 11 million contract. I doubt they would do that more apt to do a S&T.

[Rangers72]

absolutely, the city is an attractive destination for an NBA player, the teams management look determined to win and now the surrounding players would look appealing to a player like Dwight Howard

the city is an attraction? Have you ever been to Houston? Obviously not