The Houston Rockets are attempting to steal Chris Bosh away from the Miami Heat, but they still have to trade Jeremy Lin in order to afford him. The Rockets have been in trade negotiations with the Philadelphia 76ers and the two sides are nearing an agreement.

Rockets "heavily engaged" in Bosh recruitment

The 76ers would be willing to take on a deal that involves Lin while sending no salary back to the Rockets. The Rockets would then use their newfound cap space to sign either Bosh or Carmelo Anthony. According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Rockets could sweeten the deal with the 76ers by including a first-round pick in the deal.

“It's believed that the Rockets would have to send Philadelphia at least one future first-round pick to convince the Sixers to go through with the deal, given that Lin is owed $15 million next season despite the fact that his contract will only count for $8.4 million for salary cap purposes.

Sources say that the Sixers, though, are happy to take on Lin -- despite the presence of reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams as their starting point guard -- provided that the extra asset or two they get from Houston is sufficiently attractive.”

Stein also reports that the Milwaukee Bucks have also expressing interest in Lin, but they would need more from the Rockets of they are to take on Lin’s $15 million salary. When free agency began, the Rockets had the goal of trading both Lin and Omer Asik to make enough salary cap space to pursue a max contract player. The Rockets traded Asik to the Pelicans for a first-round pick and showed potential free agents they were all-in on 2014.

Rockets trade center Omer Asik for precious cap space

The Rockets were set on pursuing Bosh and Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, but believed neither would be available to them. Bosh is believed to be listening to the Rockets’ offer while Nowitzki resigned with the Mavericks.

[ESPN]

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