:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/35525560/20140305_jla_au3_434.0.jpg)
With LeBron James coming back to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Carmelo Anthony deciding to stay with the New York Knicks, we are getting closer to seeing which teams Trevor Ariza may really sign with.
According to Michael Lee of the Washington Post, Ariza is now in serious contract discussions with the Houston Rockets:
Source confirms that talks between HOU & Trevor Ariza are advancing #wizards
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) July 12, 2014
The Rockets have been mulling over a number of small forwards during free agency. They currently have a big decision to make themselves, as Chandler Parsons, one of their restricted free agents, signed a three-year, $45 million offer sheet with the Dallas Mavericks. Houston needs to either match that offer by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, or he will officially be a Maverick. Signing Ariza gives them an insurance policy at this small forward position should they not match Parson's off sheet. But at the same time, Houston has to decide whether it is worth paying Parsons that much money.
If Houston does decide to match Parson's offer sheet, Ariza still has other suitors, including Dallas. It will be interesting to see exactly how much money he could earn from another team once the dust settles.