The Houston Rockets and the Philadelphia 76ers agreed to a trade involving Jeremy Lin, the Liberty Ballers reported.
Jake Pavorsky of Liberty Ballers revealed that the Rockets and the 76ers have a trade in place that would send Lin to Philadelphia along with a future first-round pick. It is unclear at this point what the Rockets will get in the deal, but they are not expected to get a player in return because they are just looking to clear cap space.
Sources indicated that the 76ers agreed to absorb Lin's expensive contract next season in exchange for acquiring a first-rounder that could turn into a key piece for their rebuilding program.
Lin, who averaged 12.1 points to go along with 4.1 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game last season, will be playing in the final year of his contract that pays him nearly $15 million next season with a cap hit of $8.4 million.
Both the Rockets and the 76ers remain mum about the reported trade. Pavorsky pointed out that the deal will remain unannounced until the Rockets get a verbal commitment from their free-agent targets, particularly Chris Bosh.
Bosh, who is an unrestricted free agent this summer after opting out of the final two years of his contract with the Miami Heat, is the Rockets' top target at this point after the team lost hope in acquiring Carmelo Anthony, who is reportedly planning to sign with the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, or the Chicago Bulls.
Multiple reports confirmed that the Rockets offered a maximum four-year deal worth $88 million to Bosh, but they need to get Lin's salary off their books to make the deal work.
Bosh, who averaged 16.2 points and 6.6 rebounds per game with the Heat last season, will reportedly accept the Rockets' offer if LeBron James decides to sign elsewhere.
Sixers general manager Sam Hinkie recently confirmed that they have been talking to several teams about a possible trade, but he refused to confirm the Jeremy Lin trade rumors.
"We are active in conversations with a lot of teams and a lot of agents," Hinkie said via CSN Philly. "Sometimes that leads to transactions and sometimes it doesn't. It will be interesting to see how the next few days play out."
