NBA: Playoffs-Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets
NBA: Playoffs-Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets Reuters

The Minnesota Timberwolves have interest to pull off a sign-and-trade deal with the Houston Rockets, involving restricted free-agent small forward Chandler Parsons and All-Star power forward Kevin Love.

Yahoo Sports Marc Spears reported the T-Wolves' desire to swoop in shooting guard Klay Thompson and David Lee as compensation for sending Love to the Golden State Warriors, but trade talk hasn't progresses since Warriors top-brasses (head coach Steve Kerr and consultant Jerry West) prevented the potential deal to materialize.

With this development, the Timberwolves are now looking to find another trade partner, and the Rockets emerge as a perfect candidate to help them dispense Love without compromising the future of the team.

The Rockets are interested in re-signing Parsons, league sources said, but his future could also be affected by what happens to Golden State Warriors forward Klay Thompson and New York Knicks free-agent forward Carmelo Anthony.

Spears provided a peak of what could transpire in the coming weeks of free-agency in his report on Yahoo Sports:

"The Minnesota Timberwolves are still interested in acquiring Thompson in a blockbuster trade that would send All-Star forward Kevin Love to the Warriors, a source said. But the T'wolves also have secondary interest in Parsons, the source said."

"If the Thompson trade doesn't happen, the source said Minnesota could attempt a deal sending Love to the Rockets and acquire Parsons in a sign-and-trade. The Los Angeles Lakers,Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks have primary interest in signing Anthony as a free agent, but also could chase Parsons if they don't, a source said."

Parsons, who averaged 16.6 points on 47.3 percent shooting from the field last season, has been given the chance to test the free-agency market, as the Rockets look to create more cap room in their attempt to land another superstar to play alongside James Harden and Dwight Howard this offseason.

The Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls and Dallas Mavericks have all expressed interest in signing the up-and-coming swingman, but the Rockets will always have the Larry Bird Right to match any offer for Parsons.

Meanwhile, Love has been pushing the Wolves to trade him or face the consequence of losing him without compensation next summer. The former UCLA product has been a perennial All-Star with double-double numbers, but the itch to join a contender right now has now become his priority.