Houston Rockets want to acquire Carmelo Anthony, not Kevin Love
By Josh Hill
The Houston Rockets are a team who have been awfully quiet on the Kevin Love trade front, despite boasting talent that could very well help them land the All-Star power forward. But while Love is a decent option for the Rockets, it appears their focus is elsewhere and they couldn’t really care less about Love at this juncture.
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While Love is being coveted by the Warriors, Bulls, Knicks and others, the Rockets remain focused on two of the biggest names that could potentially hit free agency this summer. According to ESPN.com’s Marc Stein, the Rockets lack of attention and focus in the Kevin Love trade talks is largely due to the fact that they are zeroing in on acquiring Carmelo Anthony from the Knicks and possibly even LeBron James if he also opts out.
For those asking why Rockets not cited in Love mix: I keep hearing they're focused on Melo hunt ... and seeing if they can get in LeBron mix
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 20, 2014
Houston has been emerging as a leader in landing Melo and they seemingly have the assets to make a sign-and-trade happen. It would require Jeremy Lin, Omer Asik and other pricey players to be traded and the roster would have to be largely gutted of everyone save or Dwight Howard and James Harden, but it’s possible and something the Rockets are considering.
The bit about LeBron seems to be a throwaway by Stein, but Houston is insane and we can’t count out the chances they gut their roster and then go after LeBron James over Carmelo Anthony if he ends up hitting free agency as well — something that very well may happen.