Rockets To Simultaneously Pursue Paul, Howard

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Houston Rockets plan on pursuing Dwight Howard, but they will simultaneously go after Chris Paul as well.

"They are targets No. 1 and 1A," said a source.

Both Howard and Paul are free agents, but the former has expressed more interest in signing with the Rockets.

The Rockets need to complete a few moves to offer a max contract, something they feel is likely. Houston won't have enough cap space to offer a max contract to both players.

Paul is close to James Harden from their time together on USA Basketball.

Via Jonathan Feigen/Houston Chronicle

[boren]

Houston won't have enough cap space to offer a max contract to both players.

Easy solution: Do a Lebron.

[MagicFan41]

Houston won't have enough cap space to offer a max contract to both players.

Easy solution: Do a Lebron.

LOL. If you (and everyone else who seems to think so as well because the media hyped it up) are referring "taking less money" than the MAX, you need to do some real research on your own. He took about $1mil/yr less per year (which was basically negated by the fact he moved from Ohio to Florida where there is no state income tax). Typically that isn't really going to make much of a difference in whether or not they could sign other max deals or not. In fact, his endorsement earnings, which far surpasses his salary earnings receive an even bigger tax reduction, which is end up meaning he makes MORE than if he had stayed in Cleveland due to the tax savings. Everyone acts as though the man was some martyr who is playing for $100,000/yr so his team can be better. Give me a break.

One benefit Houston does have is that along with Florida, Texas is the only other state with an NBA team to also have no state income tax, so players with large endorsement deals (ala CP3 and Dwight) would be able to make such a "sacrifice" (hahahah) to take a little less money salary-wise when it would actually mean making MORE money tax-wise.

[NamelessHero]

Houston won't have enough cap space to offer a max contract to both players.

Easy solution: Do a Lebron.

imaginative

[inquisitive]

i guess the rockets are really all in...didn't think they would pursue cp3...interesting.

[Sam195]

Houston won't have enough cap space to offer a max contract to both players.

Easy solution: Do a Lebron.

LOL. If you (and everyone else who seems to think so as well because the media hyped it up) are referring "taking less money" than the MAX, you need to do some real research on your own. He took about $1mil/yr less per year (which was basically negated by the fact he moved from Ohio to Florida where there is no state income tax). Typically that isn't really going to make much of a difference in whether or not they could sign other max deals or not. In fact, his endorsement earnings, which far surpasses his salary earnings receive an even bigger tax reduction, which is end up meaning he makes MORE than if he had stayed in Cleveland due to the tax savings. Everyone acts as though the man was some martyr who is playing for $100,000/yr so his team can be better. Give me a break.

One benefit Houston does have is that along with Florida, Texas is the only other state with an NBA team to also have no state income tax, so players with large endorsement deals (ala CP3 and Dwight) would be able to make such a "sacrifice" (hahahah) to take a little less money salary-wise when it would actually mean making MORE money tax-wise.

Lebron did make a sacrifice. He chose Miami over the Knicks and Clippers at the time. 2 teams that had cap space to sign him and another free agent like bosh or wade to max deals in 2010. Had Lebron gone to Ny or LA, he probably would have doubled the endorsement earnings he makes now despite higher taxes. If Lebron brought the Knicks their first championship since the 70s, he'd be the most popular athlete in the world. And be earning more endorsement money than he could manage. Lebron made the decision to come to Miami to team up with two of his friends as opposed to staying in Cleveland or teaming up with just one other max guy on a diffrent team.

[Mr. E]

i guess the rockets are really all in...didn't think they would pursue cp3...interesting.

It's going to be an interesting summer for those of us here in Houston!

I will be happy when this is all over, tho.

[noworriesinmd]

Easy solution: Do a Lebron.

LOL. If you (and everyone else who seems to think so as well because the media hyped it up) are referring "taking less money" than the MAX, you need to do some real research on your own. He took about $1mil/yr less per year (which was basically negated by the fact he moved from Ohio to Florida where there is no state income tax). Typically that isn't really going to make much of a difference in whether or not they could sign other max deals or not. In fact, his endorsement earnings, which far surpasses his salary earnings receive an even bigger tax reduction, which is end up meaning he makes MORE than if he had stayed in Cleveland due to the tax savings. Everyone acts as though the man was some martyr who is playing for $100,000/yr so his team can be better. Give me a break.

One benefit Houston does have is that along with Florida, Texas is the only other state with an NBA team to also have no state income tax, so players with large endorsement deals (ala CP3 and Dwight) would be able to make such a "sacrifice" (hahahah) to take a little less money salary-wise when it would actually mean making MORE money tax-wise.

Lebron did make a sacrifice. He chose Miami over the Knicks and Clippers at the time. 2 teams that had cap space to sign him and another free agent like bosh or wade to max deals in 2010. Had Lebron gone to Ny or LA, he probably would have doubled the endorsement earnings he makes now despite higher taxes. If Lebron brought the Knicks their first championship since the 70s, he'd be the most popular athlete in the world. And be earning more endorsement money than he could manage. Lebron made the decision to come to Miami to team up with two of his friends as opposed to staying in Cleveland or teaming up with just one other max guy on a diffrent team.

[Sherman Douglas]

The NBA is getting dumb and boring. There's a few "superteams" with all the talent.

[kobe48306]

OKC, trade Westbrook for Paul and win a NBA championship!

[makio9]

Houston won't have enough cap space to offer a max contract to both players.

Easy solution: Do a Lebron.

LOL. If you (and everyone else who seems to think so as well because the media hyped it up) are referring "taking less money" than the MAX, you need to do some real research on your own. He took about $1mil/yr less per year (which was basically negated by the fact he moved from Ohio to Florida where there is no state income tax). Typically that isn't really going to make much of a difference in whether or not they could sign other max deals or not. In fact, his endorsement earnings, which far surpasses his salary earnings receive an even bigger tax reduction, which is end up meaning he makes MORE than if he had stayed in Cleveland due to the tax savings. Everyone acts as though the man was some martyr who is playing for $100,000/yr so his team can be better. Give me a break.

One benefit Houston does have is that along with Florida, Texas is the only other state with an NBA team to also have no state income tax, so players with large endorsement deals (ala CP3 and Dwight) would be able to make such a "sacrifice" (hahahah) to take a little less money salary-wise when it would actually mean making MORE money tax-wise.

Newsflash: there's no tax in Houston either! And the woman are cheaper

[Donnyxc]

OKC, trade Westbrook for Paul and win a NBA championship!

They have some issues at the C position to solve first. Westbrook is a solid guard.

[penquin11]

Easy solution: Do a Lebron.

LOL. If you (and everyone else who seems to think so as well because the media hyped it up) are referring "taking less money" than the MAX, you need to do some real research on your own. He took about $1mil/yr less per year (which was basically negated by the fact he moved from Ohio to Florida where there is no state income tax). Typically that isn't really going to make much of a difference in whether or not they could sign other max deals or not. In fact, his endorsement earnings, which far surpasses his salary earnings receive an even bigger tax reduction, which is end up meaning he makes MORE than if he had stayed in Cleveland due to the tax savings. Everyone acts as though the man was some martyr who is playing for $100,000/yr so his team can be better. Give me a break.

One benefit Houston does have is that along with Florida, Texas is the only other state with an NBA team to also have no state income tax, so players with large endorsement deals (ala CP3 and Dwight) would be able to make such a "sacrifice" (hahahah) to take a little less money salary-wise when it would actually mean making MORE money tax-wise.

Newsflash: there's no tax in Houston either! And the woman are cheaper

Maybe you don't know this. But, Houston is in Texas... Meaning you just repeated the obvious.....