2014 NBA Free Agency Rumors & Predictions: Chris Bosh To Houston? Rockets Are 'Ideal' Fit For 'Stretch 4' Bosh! Will They Give A Max Offer?

The 2014 NBA Free Agency Rumors & Predictions have taken on a new dimension now that all the boys from South Beach are in play. Dwyane Wade was confirmed to have opted out, and while no confirmation has been given for Bosh, all parties involved believe it's a foregone conclusion.

While this is seen as the dream scenario, free agency means that all doors are open to suitors with money. And this season, there is a record number of teams that have cap space.

LeBron James started the ball rolling for Miami, and it issued a challenge for the other two parts of the Big Three. It should be noted that Wade was quick to respond, even Udonis Haslem gave his due sacrifice for the team. Chris Bosh waited until the last minute. Why?

We can only speculate but it would not be far-fetched to think that he examined his options first before he would face the negotiating table.

By opting out, Bosh is walking away from a guaranteed $ 42 million dollars for the next two years. The only incentive is that he can negotiate for a longer contract but as Miami and LeBron would want, it would be for less money. This is already a given for Bosh. But the question is: how much less?

It was already established that LeBron wants the max and he will not match the salaries of his two cohorts. That doesn't seem to be a problem for Bosh. But will he take the same amount as Wade-even if it's below $ 15 million.

Unlike Wade, Bosh has options. Teams from his native Texas like the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks can easily go north of $ 15 million and the Lakers can even throw the max. For the Rockets, this entails trading Asik and Lin. They've already done half of that and they are willing to trade more players to clear cap space for a franchise player. While they are chasing Carmelo, Bosh would be more than a great consolation prize. He might even be better.

ESPN experts discussed the question "If not Miami, where should Chris Bosh go?"

Tom Haberstroh: "Houston. He wouldn't have to carry the load defensively, and there's a need for a stretch four. The Rockets put on the full-court press in 2010, and they'd be smart to do it again. He's that good."

Kevin Pelton: "Houston. He gets help protecting the rim from Dwight Howard while stretching the floor in the style the Rockets play. I'm not certain he wants to be a third option on offense, but this would really ease his burden defensively."

Ethan Strauss: "The Rockets' search for a stretch four to play next to Dwight Howard won't turn up a better candidate than Bosh, whose addition would make Houston a serious championship threat."

In Houston, he doesn't have to shift to center or defend the opposing big man because there's Dwight Howard. He can take jumpshots over shorter opponents all he likes because he's not the center. He would be the perfect complement to Dwight Howard.

If Miami does not give proper value to Bosh and Houston throws the max offer to him, the discrepancy might be too wide to ignore. Houston could get its man.