Blockbuster Trade Proposal Sends Jimmy Butler To Rockets

One NBA analyst proposed that the Houston Rockets acquire Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. 

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Rockets and Heat:

Jimmy Butler for Cam Whitmore, Dillon Brooks, Jeff Green, Jock Landale, a 2030 first-round pick and a 2031 first-round pick swap

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 last season for the Heat while shooting 49.9% from the field, 41.4% from beyond the arc and 85.8% from the free-throw line.

“The Houston Rockets’ young core proved last season that it may be a little closer to meaningful contention than most realized,” Bailey wrote in his NBA trade proposal. “They had a fringe All-Star candidate in Alperen Şengün, threatened the play-in tournament well into the spring and have several potential future All-Stars still on their rookie deals. What makes them particularly interesting in this discussion is the number of relatively short-term, tradable contracts they have.

“Dillon Brooks’ money almost has to be included, and swapping Butler in for his minutes would instantly give Houston a shot to finish above the play-in altogether. Jeff Green and Jock Landale aren’t even guaranteed rotation minutes on a developing roster. And though Whitmore is one of those young players who’s shown real upside, the Rockets won’t be able to pay all of them as they age beyond the rookie deals.”

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 76ers and Heat. He’s made five All-NBA teams and five All-Defensive teams.

“Things certainly get trickier when you consider what Butler might want from his next contract, but there’s a team option for Fred VanVleet‘s $44.9 million in 2025-26,” Bailey wrote in his NBA trade proposal. “If Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard and Jalen Green appear up to the task, the Rockets can let VanVleet go and make the Butler the big-money man for the next few years.”

Butler will become an unrestricted free agent next offseason if he declines his 2025-26 player option, a move he’s expected to do. 

The Rockets missed the playoffs last season, while the Heat lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round.