NBA: Playoffs-Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets
NBA: Playoffs-Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets Reuters

The Los Angeles Lakers emerged as one of the teams interested in offering a max deal for Chandler Parsons, who suddenly became available on the free-agency market following reports the Houston Rockets are not interested to pick up the fourth year of his rookie contract.

With only three players (Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Robert Sacre) under contract heading this summer, the Lakers are obviously looking to fill up their roster with quality players via trade or free-agency signing.

The Lakers certainly have enough space in the salary cap to sign a max player, but they are seemingly losing their ground in their bid to land New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony and Minnesota Timberwolves Kevin Love.

On Wednesday, ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst reported that the Rockets are considering the option not to pick up the final year of Parson's rookie deal, making him a restricted free-agent this summer.

"The Houston Rockets have not made a final decision but are leaning toward declining the option in young star Chandler Parsons' contract and allowing him to become a restricted free agent this summer, sources told ESPN.com," Windhorst stated in his report.

According to the analyst, the forthcoming move by the Rockets is a sign that the franchise are trying to push harder in their goal of adding another star to their superstar nucleus of James Harden and Dwight Howard. Anthony, who averaged 27 points and 8 boards last season, can opt out from the final year of his deal with the Knicks and make a splash in the free-agency market this summer.

General manager Mitch Kupchack pointed out several times already that he may wait until the summer of 2015, when LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love and Tyson Chandler become available, before he makes a big move in the free-agency front.

However, rebuilding teams like the Lakers know they have a shot at a pretty good talent in Chandler, who averaged 16.6 points, 4.0 assists and 5.5 rebounds last season.

Rant Sports analyst Joseph Crevler believed the Rockets are still looking to re-sign Parsons to a long-term deal, but this also opens up an opportunity for the Lakers to get the small forward through a poison pill deal.

"Furthermore, the Rockets will not be declining his option because they are unhappy with his performances, but because it offers a better opportunity to lock Parsons up long-term. Enter Los Angeles, which possess the ability to poison pill Parsons with the intention of forcing Houston to give up on the swingman," Crevler stated.

By adding Parsons, the Lakers, who also have the no.7 overall pick in the upcoming draft, can start putting young pieces around Kobe Bryant in his last run for a championship.