So how much money do the rocket have available this summer?

[Heat fan06]

Do they have enough for a full max player? Or do they need a trade?

[The Rebel]

Depends on the players on non guaranteed deals and team options that they choose to keep, but depending on where the cap goes to, they should have the cap room for 1 max contract this summer if they renounce their holds.

[DreamShakeFTW]

Just renouncing some unguaranteed contracts puts them right below the number for one max, and then one small contract/young player trade with no money coming back puts them there.

Considering they have a lot of good/positive assets, that should not be a problem.

They have enough assets to sign one max outright and possibly make a S&T for another max if that opportunity presents itself.

[Jsun947]

If they waive Garcia, Delfino, Brooks, Smith, Anderson, and Ohlbrect they should have approx 40.40 mil in salary.

If the cap stays at 58.04 it leaves them with 17.6 mil in space - 3 cap holds = 16.1 is max they could offer Howard.

I didn't double check my math.

[Jsun947]

I think the biggest problem is that the Lakers will not S&T Howard. Considering the condition of his back I don't think Howard would pass up the extra year and additional money from max raises LA can offer. It's a huge difference in money.

[The Rebel]

From all reports the cap is expected to go up a minimum of 3-5% this year, putting the cap somewhere around $59.5-$61 million. I also think they keep smith as a solid backup big, putting the Rockets at 42.2 after 2 cap holds. Leaving at a minimum somewhere between $17.3-18.8 without dumping a single person. So at worst they will have to dump 1 young guy.

As for Howard not turning down the extra year and bigger raises, the difference in taxes more then make up for the larger raises, and I do not know that Howard should sign a longer contract. At 4 years Howard will be 31 and right at the end of his prime, at 32 Howard will more then likely be a year or two removed from his prime. Personally i may roll the dice on the 4 year deal as the odds are that you will get a much better contract at 31 then you will at 32, as once the decline starts to be obvious the contracts being offered drop quickly.

[HTown_TMac]

If he comes to the Rockets, he might do the 3 year opt outclause like Lebron, and be able to sign another max and he won't lose money compared to signing a full max in LA.

[Mavs2theFinals]

Who's THE rocket?!