An intriguing proposal has emerged from NBA analyst Grant Hughes at Bleacher Report, suggesting a potential blockbuster trade between the Houston Rockets and the Miami Heat this offseason.
Hughes’ trade concept revolves around the Houston Rockets acquiring Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat in exchange for promising talents Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, alongside the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft.
“A guess is all it takes to get the trade machine humming, and here it spits out a blockbuster that lands the Rockets a star in Butler. Those anchored to the idea of teams spending four or five first-rounders to land a superstar might balk at Houston’s outgoing package here. But Butler is only available because he’s angling for an extension the Heat aren’t keen to offer, and that has to lower the price for the acquiring team in any trade,” Hughes wrote.
“Add to that uncertainty about Butler holding up for a full season, likely decline as he gets deeper into his 30s and his general irascibility, and you’ve got enough drawbacks for the Rockets to get away with an 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 much longer.
One imagines the Heat would be more comfortable giving long-term cash to an early-20s player on the rise, though. Add in Brooks, who would fit perfectly into the Heat, a 12-spot jump to No. 3 in the draft, and Miami comes out of this looking pretty good—particularly if it’s itching to put a period on the Butler era. Meanwhile, the Rockets take their big swing.”