One NBA analyst proposed that the Houston Rockets acquire Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat this offseason.
Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Rockets and Heat:
Houston Rockets Receive: Jimmy Butler and the No. 15 pick in the 2024 draft
Miami Heat Receive: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft
“A guess is all it takes to get the trade machine humming, and here it spits out a blockbuster that lands the Rockets a star in Butler,” Hughes wrote. “Those anchored to the idea of teams spending four or five first-rounders to land a superstar might balk at Houston’s outgoing package here. But Butler is only available because he’s angling for an extension the Heat aren’t keen to offer, and that has to lower the price for the acquiring team in any trade.
“Add to that uncertainty about Butler holding up for a full season, likely decline as he gets deeper into his 30s and his general irascibility, and you’ve got enough drawbacks for the Rockets to get away with an offer like this.
“Green averaged 27.7 points per game as Houston went 13-2 in March, but he’s also extension-eligible and won’t be cheap much longer. One imagines the Heat would be more comfortable giving long-term cash to an early-20s player on the rise, though.
“Add in Brooks, who would fit perfectly into #HeatCulture, a 12-spot jump to No. 3 in the draft, and Miami comes out of this looking pretty good—particularly if it’s itching to put a period on the Butler era. Meanwhile, the Rockets take their big swing.”
Butler is extension-eligible this offseason. He could get traded if he doesn’t receive a max extension from the Heat.
Butler will make $48.8 million next season. He has a player option worth $52.4 million for the 2025-26 season.
The Heat lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round of this year’s playoffs in five games. Butler didn’t play because of a knee injury.
A six-time All-Star, Butler averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.3 blocks in 60 games this season while shooting 49.9% from the field, 41.4% from beyond the arc and 85.8% from the free-throw line.
Butler has career averages of 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia Sixers and Heat. He’s made five All-NBA teams and five All-Defensive teams.
For the Rockets this season, Green averaged 19.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists, while Brooks averaged 12.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.1 blocks.
Houston missed the playoffs again.
Green is eligible to sign a rookie-scale extension this offseason. He was the second overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
