http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/7083521.html
Rockets may make run at Bosh, Johnson
By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2010 Houston Chronicle
June 27, 2010, 7:33PM
Despite some foreboding signs, the Rockets do not consider themselves out of the free agency fight before throwing their first punch.
Amid indications Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh will seek to join another top free agent on a team with cap space, a person with knowledge of the Rockets’ thinking said Houston is confident it will be in the running and is considering seeking another enticement.
The individual familiar with the Rockets’ thinking said Houston could attempt to give Bosh a chance to sign with an All-Star guard by making a run at Hawks guard Joe Johnson.
Bosh on Saturday told the Miami Herald that the Miami Heat, with Dwyane Wade, would be in "top contention" for his services. He also is expected to receive strong recruiting pitches from the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks, who will try to get him along with the Cavaliers’ LeBron James.
Last week, Bosh seemed to tie his own decision to James’ when he said nothing will happen until James picks a team, a sign that Bosh might seek to join forces with the Cleveland star.
If the Rockets seek to land Johnson, a starter in the 2010 All-Star Game and a teammate of Bosh’s on the 2006 World Championships team, it would require a second sign-and-trade deal in addition to a deal for Bosh. That would likely have to involve guard Kevin Martin, and the team is unsure whether it would want to give up Martin to get Johnson.
Teams may begin talking to free agents and their representatives at 11 p.m. Central on Wednesday. The Knicks are expected to meet with Johnson in Los Angeles Wednesday night on Johnson’s 29th birthday.
James is expected to begin meeting with various teams' representatves on Thursday. There were various reports over the weekend that James and Bosh are "a done deal to go to Chicago;" that James is leaning to the Nets and that James still prefers to play for the Knicks.
Those teams are also certain to make James their top priority, with Miami’s emphasis on keeping Wade. In addition to Bosh, the Heat could be in the running for Suns forward Amar’e Stoudemire or Jazz forward Carlos Boozer.
The Raptors and Rockets are the teams that seem to covet Bosh the most. Bosh, however, is expected to begin the process by visiting with teams with cap room, a move that is dangerous to the Rockets’ chances but could help if he does not make a decision before the Rockets make their pitch.
By starting with the teams that can sign him without a sign-and-trade deal, Bosh could pressure the Raptors to make the best of losing him by coming to an agreement with the sort of sign-and-trade arrangement the Rockets will need.
If he remains unsure, the Rockets could also benefit by meeting with Bosh relatively late in the process, providing more time to tailor their overtures through the process before making their presentation.
They are, however, not going to wait to begin making their case to him. That will begin Wednesday night with the team over the next few days putting the finishing touches on its proposal, possibly to include the pursuit of another All-Star.
