If the Rockets convince Dwight Howard to sign with them this summer, they may attempt a sign-and-trade sending Jeremy Lin and Omer Asik to L.A.

We'll dub this "informed speculation," as Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne report that "the threat of the James Harden-led Rockets signing Howard away from L.A. is very real ... which means the Lakers will eventually be getting a sign-and-trade pitch from Houston." The Rockets' end goal would be teaming Howard with Chris Paul, a pie-in-the-sky scenario which we won't delve into further.

Jeremy Lin revealed that he wouldn't mind coming off the bench next season if he plays the right "role."

Lin cited Jarrett Jack as an example of a bench player who plays starter's minutes, but it's clear Lin doesn't want to become an afterthought or backup in Houston. "I don't think your role is limited to starting or coming off the bench," he said. "So it just depends." According to CSN Houston, there are "no signs that Lin is headed to the bench."

Jeremy Lin (chest) played 13 minutes in Friday's Game 6 loss, scoring three points on 1-of-4 shooting with one rebound and one block.

Clearly Lin would have played more if he was at full strength, especially with Patrick Beverley (eight points, zero assists, 32 minutes) unable to get anything real going tonight. Lin exceeded many people's expectations this season, but at the same time he didn't blow them away.

Updating a previous item, Jeremy Lin (chest) was going through shootaround on Thursday, the first time he'd oen so since Game 2.

It could be a sign that Lin is preparing to play or it could mean nothing at all. Even if Lin does return, we'd suspect it will be in an altered role and he's not a lock to play major minutes. With Lin and Carlos Delfino (foot) less than 100 percent, Patrick Beverley and Francisco Garcia will continue to see extended minutes.

Jeremy Lin (chest) has not practiced in a week, but he is scheduled to increase his workouts for the first time since injuring his chest on Friday.

Lin will apparently go through contact practice to determine just how far he's come, and he hasn't even taken contact since the chest injury, so he was never really close to playing in Game 4 or Game 5 despite what he's said. Lin wants to play in Game 6, but as has been the case, the training staff will make the final call. Either way, Patrick Beverley will see plenty of time on the floor.

Jeremy Lin (chest) will increase his workouts Thursday and hopes to add contact, according to coach Kevin McHale.

Lin says he was held out of Games 4 and 5 by the team but it should be noted he exited Game 3 of his own volition. McHale said the Rockets will wait to see how Lin's body responds to the increased workouts before deciding whether he'll play in Game 6. If Lin does return, McHale has some very intriguing lineup decisions to make given the way the Rockets' have performed since he's been out, particularly in Game 5.

Jeremy Lin revealed that the Rockets have "taken away" his freedom "to choose whether I play or not," after he was ruled out for a second consecutive game.

Lin said he would have played in both Game 4 and Game 5 if it were up to him, but we're finding that a little hard to believe after he tapped out of Game 3 voluntarily. Lin has time to get right in advance of Game 6, but after two wins without Lin, Kevin McHale will have some interesting choices to make if Lin is ready to play.

Jeremy Lin (chest) said that he will not play against the Thunder on Wednesday.

It's a bit unusual that a chest bruise would cost a player multiple playoff games, but Lin was in some serious pain in the 18 minutes he played in Game 3. Patrick Beverley will get some extra minutes and Francisco Garcia is likely to draw another start.

Jeremy Lin (chest) did not participate in shootaround on Wednesday and remains a game-time decision vs. the Thunder.

Lin did conditioning and shooting drills on Tuesday, but he was shooting with his left hand, a sign that he's still not comfortable with the pain in his chest. It wouldn't surprise us to see him sit out a second straight game, but Lin will be a true game-time decision. Patrick Beverley will see extended minutes if Lin can't suit up.

Jeremy Lin (chest) did conditioning and shooting drills on Tuesday, but he remains a game-time decision for Wednesday's Game 5 vs. the Thunder.

Lin didn't play in Game 4, but he'll have a chance to return because the Rockets extended their season by at least one more game. Francisco Garcia started on Monday without Lin, and if the PG sits again, it's likely Garcia will draw another start.