Rockets Acquire Jimmy Butler From Heat In Trade Proposal

One NBA writer proposed that the Houston Rockets acquire Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler. 

Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade proposal between the Rockets and Heat:

The Houston Rockets acquire Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat for Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Cam Whitmore, Jeff Green, a 2027 first-round pick (via PHX) and a 2028 first-round pick

“Is two first-rounders enough pick equity to get the Heat to bite on a Butler trade? Though we’ve seen more than twice that many firsts change hands in deals for inferior players like Mikal Bridges this offseason, keep in mind that Butler is currently extension-eligible and could enter free agency as soon as the summer of 2025 if he doesn’t find an offer to his liking,” Hughes wrote. “He and the Heat seem to be at an impasse on that issue at the moment. It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that Miami would accept something like this, which includes potential future stars in Green and Whitmore along with that pair of valuable firsts.

“From Houston’s perspective, the deal lands a veteran star with loads of Finals experience—one who would help balance out a roster that skews extremely young. Even after sending out Green and Whitmore, the Rockets would still have rookie Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Şengün, Amen Thompson and Tari Eason to drag down their median age. That many high lottery picks makes it easier to part with so many future assets for Butler—and, realistically, the Rockets can’t afford to keep all of their prospects anyway. Houston finished an even 41-41 last season, and adding Butler to a team ripe for major organic growth could result in at least another 10 wins. Fred VanVleet, Sheppard, Butler, Smith and Şengün would make up a balanced two-way first unit that would still have real clout off the bench in Thompson, Steven Adams, Eason and Jae’Sean Tate.”

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.

One of the top two-way players in the NBA, 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.

Butler was born in Houston. He played high school basketball in Tomball, Texas.