Houston Rockets Rumors: Kyle Lowry, Paul George On Team's Radar, James Harden Extension Likely

The Houston Rockets had the third-best record in the 2016-2017 NBA season, but they weren’t a legitimate championship contender. As the NBA draft and free agency loom, the team is eying a few possible moves that could help them compete with the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs.

With the Indiana Pacers aggressively trying to trade Paul George, the Rockets have made inquiries about acquiring the small forward, via ESPN's Marc Stein. The latest rumors also have Houston trying to sign Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry once free agency begins July 1, in addition to giving James Harden a lucrative contract extension.

READ: Lakers Trying To Trade For Paul George, Sign LeBron James in 2018

In order to create room for Lowry, the Rockets are shopping Patrick Beverley, according to The Sporting News’ Sean Deveney. Houston’s starting point guard appeared to give credence to the report on Twitter, indicating that he’s aware the team is trying to send him elsewhere.

Adding Lowry to a team that won 55 games last year would certainly make Houston even more formidable. The point guard continues to get better every season, having made the All-Star team in three straight years. He posted career-highs last season with 22.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game on 46.4 percent field-goal shooting and 41.2 percent shooting from three-point range.

Playing alongside a guard that dominates the ball like Harden shouldn’t be a concern, considering what Lowry has been able to do with shooting guard DeMar DeRozan in Toronto. The duo has formed arguably the league’s second-best backcourt, behind only Golden State’s Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, averaging 51 wins over the last four years.

With all the talk of star players like George and LeBron James planning to test free agency when they get the chance in 2018, Harden will almost certainly be with Houston for the long term. Because he was named to an All-NBA team this season, he’s eligible to sign a four-year extension worth $168 million this summer.

The Rockets are expected to offer the maximum contract to Harden, who can become a free agent after earning $58.7 million over the next two years on his current deal. The shooting guard will probably finish second in the 2017 MVP voting, becoming the runner-up for the award for the second time in three seasons.

Harden was terrific in the regular season, averaging 29.1 points, 11.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds, all of which were career highs. He was incredibly efficient in his first year playing under head coach Mike D’Antoni, averaging just 18.9 shots per game. Harden was second in the NBA in scoring while ranking ninth in field goal attempts.

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Houston has inquired about trading for George, though executing a deal will be difficult if the team can’t trade Beverley for a draft pick. The Los Angeles Lakers own the Rockets’ first-round selection, and L.A. is reportedly trying to deal the pick to Indiana in a package for George.

Because Golden State has created such a gap between themselves and the rest of the league after signing Kevin Durant, Houston will have to make a few moves if they hope to be a real threat to win the 2018 NBA Finals. The Rockets’ season ended abruptly in Game 6 of their second-round playoff series with the Spurs, losing by 39 points when San Antonio was without the injured Kawhi Leonard.