Bring the Melo to H-Town

In 2012 the Houston Rockets received Six Man of the Year James Harden in a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder. In 2013, the Rockets signed three times Defense Player of the Year Dwight Howard.

Now after declining young star Chandler Parsons' option, which will make him a restricted free agent this summer; the Rockets have made it very clear that they are on the hunt to acquire the 2013 NBA Scoring Champion Carmelo Anthony.

Since their disappointing first round exit to the Portland Trailblazers this post season, the Rockets have been in every off-season rumor possible as they try to acquire another all-star player in Houston.

From trades talks with the Boston Celtics for point guard Rajon Rondo, and even with Minnesota to trade for the unhappy timber wolf Kevin Love, clearly the Rockets are going all out to make their team better.   

However, according to multiple sources from around the league, the Rockets are willing to do everything in their power to get New York Knicks’ star Carmelo Anthony, even if signing him will come at a high price.  

Bringing Anthony to Houston is not an impossible task, but the deal would likely be done with a sign and trade with the Knicks. Which would mean, the Rockets would trade guard Jeremy Lin, center Omer Asik, and possibly some draft picks, but their biggest lost would be losing their third leading scorer, Chandler Parsons.  

By declining Parsons’ final year, it would give the Rockets more than enough money to sign Anthony. However, their biggest problem would not be whether or not they have enough money; it would be winning over other potential teams who are also on the hunt for Anthony like the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers, and even the Miami Heat.

This is not the first time the Rockets have tried to pursue Carmelo Anthony, he has been on the Rockets’ radar for some years now.

In 2008, the Rockets tried to trade, then all-star shooting guard Tracy McGrady to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Anthony, but the trade failed, and in 2011 when Anthony was trying to force his way out of Denver, the Rockets for Carmelo talks started up once more, but again they failed.    

Without a doubt, if the Rockets are able to sign the 11 year veteran who has scored over 19,000 points in his career, teaming Anthony with Dwight Howard and James Harden would make the Rockets an unstoppable force on offense next season, but it would not help improve the Rockets most common problem, defense.

Whether it’s Chicago, New York, Miami or Houston, it is all speculations for now where Carmelo Anthony will continue his career. Anthony has yet to fully opt out his last year with the Knicks, and has until June 23 to do so. However, regardless of what other teams will say to Anthony, the best option for Melo would be the Rockets. 

After years of being denied when trying to acquire Anthony before, maybe for the Rockets a third time would be a charm.