Rumors: Rockets exploring trade market for Ryan Anderson ahead of free agency

According to a report, the Houston Rockets are aggressively shopping Ryan Anderson on the trade market.

With NBA free agency less than a month away, the Houston Rockets are desperately trying to clear more cap space.

Houston already has about $79 million on the books for the 2018-19 season. That gives them about $22 million to play with before they hit the salary cap.  We also have to keep in mind that Chris Paul, Clint Capela, Trevor Ariza, Luc Mbah a Moute and Gerald Green are free agents, so keeping this team together will eat into Tilman Fertitta’s deep pockets.

In order to clear up cap room, the Rockets are aggressively shopping Ryan Anderson on the trade market, according to Kelly Iko of Rockets Wire.

“According to two people with knowledge of the Rockets’ thinking, the team’s general manager Daryl Morey is intent on moving Anderson in a trade. One person said the Rockets could pursue buyout options if no such agreement is met.”

Trading Anderson won’t be an easy feat. Last summer, the Rockets tried every option in order to get Carmelo Anthony in Houston. The Knicks were desperate to trade Carmelo, but Houston had to deal Anderson in order for the trade to work and the Knicks had no interest in the 10-year veteran.

Anderson still has two years and $41 million left on his contract. Houston desperately wants to trade Anderson because moving his bloated contract will clear up cap space. Unfortunately, its hard to find a suitor for him for that very same reason.

The Rockets could spread Anderson’s cap hit by waiving him and stretching his contract. His contract would be spread out on the books over five seasons, but it could be better than committing to a lopsided trade just to get a team to agree on a deal.

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In any event, the Rockets will do whatever is necessary in order to create additional cap space. One big move could make Houston the championship favorites for next season. This is the time to go all in.