Rockets sign six-time All-Star in bold trade proposal

It’s well known that the Houston Rockets are in the market for a formidable superstar. Reputable journalists have mentioned players like Zion Williamson, Devin Booker and Donovan Mitchell as potential targets for the franchise.

We’ve even seen Kevin Durant mentioned as a name to watch for Houston. Which is understandable, considering the roster’s composition, which features young players selected early in their respective draft classes.

Locked on Heat host and All U Can Heat writer Wes Goldberg’s latest trade proposal lands the Rockets their superstar.

The proposal is below:

Rockets get:Jimmy Butler
The heat rises:Fred VanVleet, 2028 first-round pick, 2030 first-round pick

The author’s logic is as follows:

The Rockets were reportedly interested in trading Butler before making it clear in their trade that they would rather go for Kevin Durant or Devin Booker if the Phoenix Suns situation turned sour.

But offering Butler for Fred VanVleet and a pair of future first-round picks (not the Suns’ picks) might be too good a deal for the Rockets to pass up.

For the Heat, getting VanVleet back helps them in the short term while still retaining the chance to create significant salary cap space next summer, when they can decline VanVleet’s $44.8 million team option.

So the Heat essentially get the same salary cap flexibility while adding more draft capital — but they’re gambling this season.

Trading two first-round picks for the soon-to-be-35-year-old Butler is a steep price, especially considering he hasn’t played a full season in over a decade. Not to mention his asking price, which is why he’s even being mentioned in such a bogus trade.

The Rockets could use VanVleet’s expiring salary in much better ways, even though they have plenty of replacements outside of VanVleet.