NBA Rumors: Why the Houston Rockets are targeting LeBron James
After landing guard James Harden in 2012 and center Dwight Howard in 2013, the Houston Rockets believes they can land a third superstar this offseason.
More from Houston Rockets
- NBA rumors: Hawks trade candidate, Sixers miss out, Lakers almost lose Reaves
- NBA insider explains real reason the Grizzlies were done with Dillon Brooks
- Rockets projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
- 3 potential James Harden suitors not named the Clippers
- Cam Whitmore already starting revenge tour after draft-night fall
Most pundits believe the Rockets will make a play for Minnesota Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love and New York Knicks’ forward Carmelo Anthony, but they are aiming even higher.
The Rockets plan to make a big push for LeBron James and James would obviously be an excellent fit with the Rockets.
Howard Beck of Bleacher Report believes the Rockets are real players for James.
"There are rumblings that James will start weighing his options this weekend. One rival executive pegged his chances of leaving Miami at 40 percent.The competition for James’ affection will be fierce, but Houston’s pitch may be tough to beat.The Rockets already have the league’s best guard-center tandem (Harden-Howard), solid young role players (Chandler Parsons, who is set to become a restricted free agent, Patrick Beverley and Terrence Jones) and an owner (Les Alexander) who is willing to spend. Houston also has all of its first-round picks for the next couple of years as well as a knack for finding talent late in the draft.Like Florida, Texas has no state income tax, negating Miami’s advantage on that front and giving the Rockets a big selling point in their pursuit of Anthony. (A player pays about 10 percent more in taxes in New York than in Texas.)"
James averaged 27.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 56.7% from the field, 37.9% from three and 75.0% from the charity stripe this season.