One NBA analyst suggested that the Houston Rockets should try to acquire Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat this offseason. Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade:
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.
Hughes explained that although the trade might seem uneven to those who expect teams to give up multiple first-round picks for a superstar, Butler’s desire for an extension that the Heat are reluctant to offer could lower his trade value. Additionally, Butler’s potential decline due to age and injury concerns might justify Houston’s proposed offer.
Jalen Green averaged 27.7 points per game in March as Houston finished with a 13-2 record, but he is also due for an extension soon, which could be costly. The Heat might prefer investing long-term in a young, rising star like Green. Dillon Brooks would fit well with Miami’s culture, and moving up 12 spots to the No. 3 draft pick would be appealing if the Heat want to move on from Butler.
Butler, who is eligible for an extension this offseason, may be traded if he doesn’t receive a max extension from the Heat. He is set to earn $48.8 million next season, with a player option worth $52.4 million for the 2025-26 season. Butler, a six-time All-Star, averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.3 blocks in 60 games this season, shooting 49.9% from the field, 41.4% from beyond the arc, and 85.8% from the free-throw line.
Over his career, Butler has averaged 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks while playing for the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat. He has been named to five All-NBA teams and five All-Defensive teams.
This season, Jalen Green averaged 19.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists for the Rockets, while Dillon Brooks averaged 12.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.1 blocks. The Rockets missed the playoffs again. Green, the second overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, is eligible for a rookie-scale extension this offseason.
