The Houston Rockets pursuit of Dwight Howard and/or Andrew Bynum is conditional on any deal between Howard's initial choice (the Brooklyn Nets) and the Orlando Magic falling apart.
The good news for Rockets fans is that appears imminent, as the trade once referred to as "really close" is still no closer to completion despite the NBA's signing period beginning on Wednesday.
According to a report from ESPN's Ric Bucher, the Nets want to "resolve" their bid by Wednesday, as it depends on signing-and-trading several free agents who may soon have other offers.
The biggest domino is Brook Lopez, who Brooklyn is reportedly negotiating a max deal with, despite the oft-injured center missing most of the last two seasons with a variety of ailments. If the restricted free agents receives an offer sheet from another team, the Nets will not be able to sign-and-trade him to Orlando, which would eliminate the possibility of them sending enough salaries out to absorb Howard's contract.
So not only is the Brooklyn deal not the best offer the Magic can receive, but it's expiring within the next 24 hours.
For the first time in a long time, it seems like Daryl Morey's plan to accumulate assets for a superstar-type deal may actually pay off. Of course, all that's for nothing if neither Howard nor Bynum is willing to sign an extension with the Rockets, but the team is apparently willing to cross that bridge when they get to it.
Read more on the Rockets at The Dream Shake and SB Nation Houston. Check out SB Nation's NBA hub for more off season news.