Houston Rockets: Signing LeBron James will come at a cost

Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images

As crazy as this may sound, the Houston Rockets have a real chance to land LeBron James this summer. Unfortunately, it may come at a huge cost.

What a time it is to be a fan of the Houston Rockets! At this very moment, the Rockets are rolling on a 16 game winning streak, and have a legitimate chance to win their first NBA title since 1995.

If that wasn’t good enough, the Rockets have a chance to land one of the greatest players to ever step foot on the hardwood floor.

According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, the Rockets are currently one of four teams LeBron James will consider as a potential landing spot this summer. This comes just months after Sam Amick of USA Today reported that some in the Rockets circles believe that Houston has a legitimate chance to sign James this summer.

Although the Rockets have not made their pursuit of LeBron public, Houston may be the place where the King can create another palace. As exciting as this may sound to the average fan, signing LeBron to Houston may come at a high cost.

With Chris Paul on the verge of signing a max deal, it may get a little tricky when adding LeBron to the roster. Another player who will take no less than a max contract from any of his suitors.

However, if there is one GM who will find a way to land the four-time MVP, then Daryl Morey is your guy.

In order to make this work, the Rockets must find a way to create enough cap room in order to sign LeBron to a max deal. Which means Houston’s bench and depth will take a dramatic hit. Similar to the way it did when trading for Paul last summer.

Yeah, I think LeBron James would fit nicely with the #Rockets next season. pic.twitter.com/SgBKRsGKdc

— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) February 8, 2018

Right off the back, Houston may have to do a sign and trade with the Cavaliers that involves Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, and PJ Tucker. Three guys who have played huge factors in the Rockets success this season.

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Not only that, but the Rockets will have to risk losing either Clint Capela, Trevor Ariza, or both in free agency.

At 23 years old, Capela is quickly becoming one of the best big men in the league and will be receiving offers from teams who can pitch more money to the rising star. So it’s going to be hard for the Rockets to convince Capela to stay where he will be underpaid.

As for Ariza, at age 32, it safe to say that he will take the best deal available rather it be with the Rockets or another team. However, losing both Capela or Ariza will cost the Rockets dearly. Even if LeBron is on the team.

Yet, like mentioned before, if there is one GM who will work his magic to sign James and find a way to keep his team intact, then Daryl Morey is the guy.

Personally, I would hate to see the Rockets give up so much for one guy, even if it’s for one of the greatest players who ever lived. On the other hand, its easy to feel optimistic when thinking about a Big-3 that includes Chris Paul, James Harden, and LeBron James.

Next: Can the Houston Rockets surpass their 2008 winning streak?

I cannot wait to see what the summer of 2018 has in store for the Rockets.

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