Could the Houston Rockets pursue Paul George from the LA Clippers via trade?

Could the Houston Rockets be in the market to make a splash this offseason?

With the No. 3 pick, a mix of high-potential young talent and game-winning players on the roster, the Rockets have the ability to consolidate talent and build a playoff team. After a 41-41 season, Houston is on the bubble as a playoff team, having finished with the 11th seed in the Western Conference.

How can the Rockets overcome the hurdle as a playoff team with the goal of eventually landing “contender” status? A strong offseason could bring them much closer together.

Ideally, they have the trade assets to pull the trigger on a trade for a big star – which is helpful considering they don’t have the cap space to draft a high-caliber player. A target could also hit the trade market in a unique scenario this offseason.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on Get Up, Paul George and the LA Clippers could be going in different directions. George and the Clippers are not on the same page when it comes to a contract extension, which could leave the superstar forward opting out of his player option.

There is another path to a breakup, however, as George could opt out of his contract and demand a trade, allowing him to find a way to join a team that needs him to compete, rather than a team that might pay the price desired this offseason. .

Could the Rockets be in the market to trade for him then? The Philadelphia 76ers, the only suitors capable of offering George the desired contract, are losing interest in the idea of ​​acquiring him.

Chris Paul made a similar move — opting out of his contract, receiving a trade to the Rockets and signing an extension in 2017. That would give George an expanded team to land with, even if he would lose control.

With the Rockets having young talent, they could face future draft assets and high-upside players to lure George. It would likely be expensive, but if the Rockets are tired of being a mediocre team, attempting to sign George — in his final years as an elite talent — might be the quickest way to become a competitive team.

READ MORE: Rockets Could Pursue Former Defensive Player of the Year Via Trade

Want to join the discussion? As Inside the rockets on Facebook and Follow us on twitter to stay up to date with all the latest Rockets news. You can also meet the team behind the cover.