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LeBron James is Coming Home
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 11, 2014
Rather than let a reporter scoop his decision, LeBron James revealed it himself with the help of Lee Jenkins at SI. That letter in the link is really incredible, I recommend that you read it.
Bosh to Houston
Houston and Chris Bosh moving quickly on securing deal, and with Bosh, Rockets will match Chandler Parsons offer sheet, source tells Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 11, 2014
Rival GM: "Houston is trying to clear the deck. Everyone in play except for their main guys." Max space for Chris Bosh, on the way.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 11, 2014
Teams dealing with HOU right now getting impression from Rox Bosh is locked in, provided they clear enough space.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) July 11, 2014
Chris Bosh has long been rumored to go to Houston if LeBron left Miami. It sounds like the wheels are in motion. Important to note that the Rockets are going to have to move and/or renounce every player beyond James Harden, Dwight Howard, and the current cap hold of Chandler Parsons to get close to a "max offer" up for Chris Bosh. Details of that are spelled out here. The most Houston can offer (again assuming every single player under contract is moved outside of Harden and Howard) is $19.5M. Speaking of clearing out contracts...
The Rockets finalizing Jeremy Lin, a future first-round pick and other draft considerations to the Lakers, league source tells Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 11, 2014
The Lakers will send cash and rights to overseas player to the Rockets, but no salary back, league source tells Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 11, 2014
Worst Case Scenario?
Re: Bosh/HOU: Several league sources say Pelicans considering waiving A. Rivers via stretch provision to complete Asik trade.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) July 11, 2014
That's just one of many routes the two teams could take. But NOP hasn't found taker for Rivers yet in trade talks, sources say.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) July 11, 2014
I cannot say I am thrilled about this proposition. If the Pelicans cannot create a three team trade and send out enough salary to match Asik's incoming salary waiving and stretching Austin Rivers sounds like the "In case of fire, break glass" option. Austin's last year of his rookie contract is a team option, meaning they would only stretch this current year of his contract. Let's take a look.
| Pos | Age | 2014-2015 | 2015-2016 | 2016-2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Gordon | SG | 26 | $14,898,938 | $15,514,031 | |
| Jrue Holiday | PG | 24 | $10,404,495 | $11,095,507 | $11,786,518 |
| Tyreke Evans | SG | 25 | $11,265,416 | $10,734,586 | $10,203,755 |
| Ryan Anderson | PF | 26 | $8,491,500 | $8,500,000 | |
| Omer Asik | C | 28 | $8,374,646 | ||
| Anthony Davis | PF/C | 21 | $5,607,240 | $7,070,730 | |
| Austin Rivers | PG | 22 | $813,280 | $813,280 | $813,280 |
| Alexis Ajinca | C | 26 | $981,084 | ||
| CAP HOLD | $507,336 | ||||
| CAP HOLD | $507,336 | ||||
| CAP HOLD | $507,336 | ||||
| CAP HOLD | $507,336 | ||||
| Total | $62,865,943 | $53,728,134 | $22,803,553 | ||
| Room Exception | $2,732,000 | $2,854,940 |
That would be the extent of what the Pelicans would have to work with. It is reasonable to expect they could bring in James Southerland, Luke Babbitt, Jeff Withey, and even Darius Miller back on minimum contracts. However, Babbitt and Withey must first clear waivers to make that happen.
This is a possible avenue the Pelicans have available to them if necessary, but it is hardly desirable. In addition to losing Rivers they would lose the Bird Rights to Jason Smith, Al-Farouq Aminu, and Brian Roberts. The hope is that a sign and trade could be worked out to create a balanced three team trade (as outlined here and here). Doing so would preserve Bird Rights, the Mid-Level Exception, and the Bi-Annual Exception.
If this route ends up the one the Pelicans are forced to take (and considering what they lose, I believe it is a last resort) the Pelicans are going to be incredibly dependent on just seven players with enormous question marks on the wing.
Expect the free agency market to kick into high gear over the next couple of days.