Buying, selling LeBron James’ top rumored free agency landing spots

Houston Rockets: Selling

I’ve heard it all already, and I’m sure I’ll hear more of it leading up to July 1. The Rockets are a tantalizing landing spot for LeBron, seeing as they’re the only team that gave the Golden State Warriors a real run during the playoffs.

On top of that, Chris Paul figures to return. One of the Banana Boat buddies, CP3 would love the opportunity to play with his good friend LeBron. The assumption that he’ll re-sign with the Rockets seems to suggest some level of intrigue on James’ part. Plus, who wouldn’t want to play with a supporting cast of James Harden, Clint Capela (if he’s re-signed) and Paul?

There’s just one BIG problem: the financials.

At this moment, the Rockets head into 2018 with a rather undesirable salary cap situation. It’s not that they have a ton of money already on the books. Instead, it’s that it’s going to cost way too much to keep the pieces necessary to lure LeBron to Houston.

Re-signing Paul will likely cost a max contract. There’s a good chance bringing back Capela will also have the same result, or close to it. Paying both of them will be a pricey endeavor, meaning less money available to sign James. Even if Capela isn’t re-signed and Paul takes a pay cut, it’s still going to be difficult with Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon accounting for nearly $34 million in 2018-19.

I’m sure the interest is there, and Paul has reportedly been recruiting James (via New York Times‘ Marc Stein). That’s great and all, but general manager Daryl Morey isn’t a miracle worker. At some point, the moves necessary to create cap simply shouldn’t be worth the eventual reward.