The Rockets aren’t waiting around for a Melo or LeBron decision as they’ve reportedly offered Chris Bosh a maximum contract worth $96 million.
With that type of money involved, Bosh is apparently listening.
Sources: Rockets offer Bosh max deal of 4 yrs, $96 million. After weekend convo with LeBron and low offer from Heat, Bosh considering offer
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 7, 2014
The Rockets had been stepping up their pursuit of Bosh following their meeting with Carmelo Anthony. Bosh has stated that he’d like to stay in Miami but obviously only if LeBron sticks around as well.
“It is widely assumed throughout the league that Bosh will only be willing to leave Miami if James leaves first, after Bosh said numerous times during the season that he intended to stay with the Heat, even if it required taking a pay cut from last season’s $19 million salary. So Miami remains the favorite to sign him.”
The maximum offer could be legitimate or it could be a way for Bosh to gain leverage in any talks with the Heat. Ken Berger of CBS Sports reports that the maximum contract offer is the only thing which would dislodge Bosh from Miami. Houston is reportedly willing to do just that. A Big 3 of James Harden, Dwight Howard and Bosh would be competitive but the Western Conference is a much tougher conference to navigate than the East.
Alternatively, it’s Chris Broussard so take all of this with a grain of salt (Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo Sports’ omniscient NBA reporter, states that conversations between Bosh and Houston are ongoing).
As per usual for this year’s free agency, expect nothing to actually happen until LeBron James makes a move.
