In the midst of the many trade rumors regarding Houston Rockets guard Jeremy Lin, one source close to the inner-workings of the Rockets franchise says the team has confidence that they could move Lin's contract in order to free up some of the salary caps for another free agent.
Despite having finished fourth in the competitive Western Conference, the Houston Rockets lost in the first round of the 2013-14 playoffs and are looking to make some changes for next year. Though he finished the season averaging 12.5 points per game and 4.1 assists, Jeremy Lin - who functions as the sixth-man for the Rockets - is rumored to be one of the possible candidates for a trade. "Linsanity" first made his appearance during the 2011-12 season playing for the New York Knicks, when he put up sensational numbers just days after being called up from the NBA developmental league.
The Bleacher Report writes that the Rockets are hoping to recruit one of the leading free agents to complement Dwight Howard and James Harden on the court, and are considering releasing Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik - both of whom have contracts around $15 million for next year - in order to free up the salary cap.
"According to an individual familiar with the Rockets' plans, they are confident they would be able to move Lin and Asik's contracts," reports Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. The fact that the Rockets have declined Chandler Parsons' 2014-15 contract option, making him a restricted free agent this summer, indicates they are likely looking to recruit another free agent.
Because Lin and Asik have provisions in their contracts which spread the salary cap charge attributed to them evenly over three years, they would each relieve around $8.37 million in the salary cap for the 2014-15 season. The Rockets could potentially look to pursue caliber players like LeBron James, Dirk Nowitzki, Chris Bosh, and Carmelo Anthony if they are able to free up enough of their salary cap.
