Sam Amick

USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Rockets are stuck in neutral like almost everyone else waiting for clarity from free agents LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

But after offering free agent forward Chris Bosh a maximum-level contract, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is exploring a number of scenarios in case Bosh declines and perhaps re-signs with the Miami Heat. Morey reached out Wednesday to the representatives for free agent small forward Luol Deng about joining the Rockets, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of the talks.

Deng has attracted interest from the Atlanta Hawks, the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers and others but is waiting for Anthony to decide his fate first. He could be a possible replacement for Rockets small forward Chandler Parsons if Houston decides not to match an offer on the restricted free agent.

The Dallas Mavericks are very interested in Parsons, and rival executives expect them to eventually put forth a major offer sheet for Parsons. Utah Jazz restricted free agent Gordon Hayward just landed a four-year, $63 million maximum contract offer from the Charlotte Hornets, which helps set this inflated market for Parsons, a similar player. So it's not surprising that the Rockets are at least considering other options.

A second person said the offer to Bosh was not given with a defined deadline. The person with knowledge of the negotiations spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because the talks were supposed to remain confidential.

Houston would be ecstatic to have him join Dwight Howard, James Harden and the rest of the Rockets' lot that went 54-28 and lost to the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the playoffs. Houston plans on trading point guard Jeremy Lin in order to make room for a player like Bosh on its payroll but won't execute a trade until it receives a commitment from Bosh.

Although only Bosh knows which way he's leaning, the Wednesday meeting between James, Heat President Pat Riley and James' agent, Rich Paul, will surely play a part in what happens next. The group is expected to meet at 3 p.m. PT in the Wynn hotel in Las Vegas, a person with knowledge of James' situation confirmed.