Jeremy Lin appears to be heading to the Los Angeles Lakers, as the Houston Rockets finalizes the package that would send the Asian American star to Hollywood, a source close to situation reported on Friday.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, the Rockets are preparing to send Lin, a future first-round pick and other draft consideration to the Lakers in an attempt to create more cap space in signing free-agent power forward Chris Bosh.
After missing out on the chance of adding superstar small forward Carmelo Anthony to their roster, the Rockets began shifting their attention in acquiring Bosh, who became available in the free-agency market after opting out from the final two year of his deal with the Miami Heat.
The Rockets offered a four-year, $88 million deal to Bosh, but it was uncertain if the power forward was going to sign the deal as he remained committed to return in Miami in the eventuality LeBron James decides to re-sign.
However, with James announcing his decision to re-join the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Rockets are expecting Bosh to sign the pact and become the third superstar of the star-studded team alongside James Harden and Dwight Howard.
"A source told ESPN.com on Friday that the Rockets expect Bosh to commit "soon" to joining Houston after Miami Heat teammate LeBron James told SI.com on Friday that he was leaving to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers," ESPN Los Angeles reported.
Lin in Purple-and-Gold
If the trade falls through, Lin will be playing for a Lakers team that is certainly facing uncertainty after missing out big free-agents this offseason. Although the team remains in pursuit to re-sign power forward Pau Gasol, the Lakers clearly need to add personnel in their gutted roster.
Lin, who averaged 12 points and 4 dimes in a sixth man role with the Rockets last season, will provide the Lakers a guard with the ability to orchestrate plays and carry scoring loads when needed.
The former Harvard standout is also no stranger in playing in a big market franchise, having already played and starred for the New York Knicks during the 2011-12 NBA season.
The Philadelphia 76ers and the Milwaukee Bucks were originally rumored to have interest in Lin, but the player's $15 million salary ($8 million against the cap) for 2014-15 season appeared to be the sticking point for a deal to happen.
However, the Lakers pulled off another gamble by acquiring Lin along with a first-round pick - something the organization has been looking for after sending two first-round picks to the Phoenix Suns in the Steve Nash trade two seasons ago.
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