If it wasn't clear before Wednesday that Jeremy Lin's days with the Houston Rockets were numbered, it is now.
In an effort to court Carmelo Anthony, the Rockets posted pictures of Anthony in a No. 7 jersey in the windows near one of the entrances to the Toyota Center.
Anthony wore No. 7 with the New York Knicks, so it makes sense that they'd want to let him know how he'd look in Rockets red. The only problem? Lin currently wears No. 7 in Houston.
Wednesday's visit in Houston is the second leg of Anthony's free-agent tour after he met with the Bulls in Chicago on Tuesday. He is scheduled to travel to Dallas to meet with the Mavericks later Wednesday.
Among the contingent meeting with Anthony at the Toyota Center were Rockets center Dwight Howard and guard James Harden, owner Les Alexander, general manager Daryl Morey and coach Kevin McHale. Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler also is there to help with Houston's pitch.
Most expect Lin to be moved in a trade to help the Rockets clear enough cap space to offer Anthony a near-max contract. There's an irony here because Anthony, according to reports, wasn't too thrilled when Lin garnered so much attention during his "Linsanity" run in 2012.
Several reports state that Houston already has a deal in place to move Lin if the Rockets get a commitment from Anthony. Houston will likely have to move Lin and the $8.3 million that his contract counts for on its books to acquire Anthony.
However, the Rockets have potentially created an awkward situation for next season if they fail to sign Anthony and Lin ends up back with the Rockets to fulfill the final season of his contract.
The Knicks are the only team that can offer Anthony a max contract worth $129 million over five years, but it's uncertain whether the Knicks will offer him a maximum contract.
The Bulls also greeted Anthony with an image of him in their team's jersey.
On Tuesday, the marquee in the front of the United Center showed Anthony as a Bull with the Larry O'Brien Trophy as the organization clearly tries to appeal to his stated desire to win, possibly even taking less money to do so.
Derrick Rose, who had previously said he wouldn't help recruit Anthony, was part of the Bulls' pitch meeting Tuesday. Rose declined comment as he left the United Center on Tuesday afternoon, but a source described the meetings, which included appearances from Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and Rose, as "good" to ESPNChicago.com's Nick Friedell.
Anthony is scheduled to meet with the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday in L.A.
The Knicks, meanwhile, expect to meet with Anthony after he concludes his visits with the Mavericks, Rockets and Lakers, sources told ESPNNewYork.com. The date and location of the Knicks meeting are unclear at this point.
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