Rockets move superstar forward on latest trade idea

For the first time in ages, the Houston Rockets have a very talented roster. The team is loaded with young talent, which is usually the case after a roster teardown and organizational overhaul.

The team also prioritized adding veterans last offseason, especially with championship experience or at least those who were part of deep playoff runs. The team lacks a closer and/or essential player in critical moments, which is difficult to find.

Granted, the Rockets certainly have the assets to make a move for a player of their liking, but such a player would require the franchise to ship out a good player.

You generally need to trade a good package to get a good return. This is amplified when you try to add a legitimate star.

However, there is a shortage of available stars, as teams generally don’t want to give up these players if they can help it.

However, contract negotiations often prevent teams from retaining their star players. In Bleacher Report’s latest mock trade, the Rockets are the beneficiaries of such a situation, as they land Jimmy Butler because the Miami Heat are unwilling to meet the asking price for a new deal.

The terms of their proposed exchange are below:

The rockets land: Jimmy Butler and the No. 15 pick in this year’s draft
Heat the earth: Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, No. 3 pick in this year’s draft

The author’s reasoning is also included below:

“Those steeped in the idea of ​​teams spending four or five first rounds to land a superstar might balk at Houston’s outgoing package here. But Butler is only available because he’s seeking an extension that the Heat don’t. ‘is unwilling to offer, and this has the potential to lower the price for the acquiring team in any transaction.

Add in the uncertainty that Butler holds up for a full season, likely declines as he advances into his 30s, and his general irascibility, and you have enough downside for the Rockets to get away with a 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 for much longer. One imagines, however, that the Heat would be more comfortable giving long-term money to a player in his early 20s on the rise.

Add in Brooks, who would fit right in with #HeatCulture, a 12-spot jump to No. 3 in the draft, and Miami comes out pretty good, especially if it’s eager to put an end to the Butler era.

Meanwhile, the Rockets are making their big move.”

While the Rockets would not be required to give up much of their capital and/or young talent, this deal would be a major roll of the dice on the part of the Rockets. Butler turns 35 in three months and he has a history of injuries, as the writer explains here.

Granted, they’ve wanted Butler for a while now, dating back to the 2018-19 season and even thought they were close to landing him during the 2019 offseason. Sometimes that makes all the difference in the world.

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