Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is showing an "aggressive desire" to improve the team's roster and will make all players and draft picks available in trade talks this offseason, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Wojnarowski added that while it's hard to imagine a scenario involving James Harden, point guard Chris Paul could be moved should the right offer present itself.
The Rockets have already made significant cuts to their coaching staff since being eliminated, including parting ways with defensive ace Jeff Bzdelik and key player development coach Irv Roland. The organization is also reportedly pursuing former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue for Mike D'Antoni's staff.
Meanwhile, Houston has little wiggle room in its cap sheet after heavily investing in Harden (four-year, $170-million extension signed in 2017), Paul (four-year, $160-million extension inked in 2018), and Clint Capela (five-year, $90-million deal agreed to in 2018).
Dealing the 34-year-old Paul could be especially difficult with his contract set to guarantee him $44.2 million for the 2021-22 season.
However, Morey has a history for thinking outside the box when it comes to trades that keep the Rockets competitive, including when he initially acquired Paul in 2017, dealing seven players and a draft pick for the All-Star.
This year, the Rockets failed to advance past the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs for the second straight season and the fourth time in five campaigns.
