We wouldn’t put it past Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey, because he’s one to make moves out of thin air for the organization, but reports are coming out that the franchise is going to pursue Jimmy Butler this free agency period.
The Rockets are actively seeking to trade Clint Capela, PJ Tucker, and Eric Gordon in exchange for 1st-round picks, so they can potentially perform a sign-and-trade for Jimmy Butler. (via ESPN)
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 26, 2019
Reporting w/ @ZachLowe: Houston’s offering Clint Capela, Eric Gordon and PJ Tucker individually to teams w/ space to absorb salary. Rockets trying for best available first-rounder for any of those three, hoping to redirect pick to Philly in pursuit of Jimmy Butler sign-and-trade.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2019
"Whatever you can get out of Chris Paul, Jimmy Butler would get out of him. Jimmy would help bring back out whatever the savvy was. If you go as is, they're going to be a disaster next year. Mark my words. This will crumble right before your very eyes." — @RealSkipBayless pic.twitter.com/tkEfLwGYmb
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) June 26, 2019
The Rockets will be aggressive in their pursuit of signing Jimmy Butler this off-season, per @ChronBrianSmith.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 19, 2019
Reporting w/ @ZachLowe: Houston’s offering Clint Capela, Eric Gordon and PJ Tucker individually to teams w/ space to absorb salary. Rockets trying for best available first-rounder for any of those three, hoping to redirect pick to Philly in pursuit of Jimmy Butler sign-and-trade.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2019
Of course, after the debacle that has been Chris Paul and James Harden at odds and reports that CP3 never demanded a trade out of the team (and nobody called), the Rockets need to make some sort of maneuver to save face after being ousted by the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs — yet again.
According to Stephen A. Smith, both Butler and Harden have been in communication with one another and Jimmy will consider Houston as a destination, but the team does not have the cap space to sign him outright this summer.
Adrian Wojnarowski points out that Butler would have to tell the Philadelphia 76ers to do a sign-and-trade for him to leave in order to make that happen.
The Sixers can sign Jimmy to a five-year, $190 million dollar SUPER MAX at the start of free agency, while other teams can only offer four years.
If Philly does consider a sign-and-trade (with a contract worth four-year, $146.5M), the Rockets would have to send back the contracts of Clint Capela, PJ Tucker and Eric Gordon to make it all work financially.
Either way, Butler’s services will be in high demand this summer.
Obviously, the 76ers traded for Jimmy to keep him beyond just last year, but they will have to shoe-off potential suitors trying to poach him. Plus, how will that impact the signing of Tobias Harris?
It’ll be interesting to see how it all goes down by the end of the week.
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