Woj: Rockets speak to Paul Pierce's agent

Well, here's a new one: the Rockets reportedly spoke to Paul Pierce's agent, Jeff Schwartz today.

No clear answer yet on Rockets matching sheet, but GM Morey had been on phone w/ agents for Ariza, Deng and Pierce today, sources tell Y.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 9, 2014

The Clippers have reportedly been the biggest suitor for Pierce, who might be willing to join LA through a sign-and-trade engineered by his old coach, Doc Rivers. The Bulls can also be expected to show interest in the former Finals MVP if they don't land Carmelo Anthony ... and according to reports, they won't. He returning to New York.

As for the Rockets, they're now under pressure to make a key roster decision, with Chandler Parsons accepting a three-year $46 million offer sheet from the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday afternoon. Parsons is a restricted free agent, so the Rockets have 72 hours to match the offer, or let him walk to Dallas ... for nothing. Houston had also been in pursuit of Anthony as well as Heat teammates Chris Bosh and LeBron James. But if the team strikes out on all three superstars, and Parsons' leaves, the Rockets seem to be looking at second tier forwards with money to spend, Pierce being one of them.

The Nets do have Pierce's Bird Rights and can offer him the most money and Marc J. Spears tweeted two days ago that he likes Brooklyn. The issue is likely to come down to money.  Pierce is asking between $8 to $10 million, while the Nets have reportedly said they will pay him in the $6 to $8 million.

With Anthony likely out of the picture, expect serious negotiations to start in the next few days