Jimmy Butler To Rockets? Houston 'Aggressive' As Miami Heat Trade Collapses

The Houston Rockets are the latest team to aggressively pursue a trade for wantaway Minnesota Timberwolves star Jimmy Butler.

The Miami Heat were the favorites to land the shooting guard, especially after his reported preference to join them, however, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported over the weekend that trade talks had collapsed between the two teams.

The trade was close to being finalized as well, such that Minnesota had shared Butler's medical information with Miami. However, Wojnarowski adds the Wolves made a last-minute bid to further sweeten a deal for them. Talks could restart again, but a "resetting process" may be required.

Meanwhile, Butler has also expressed an interest in joining other teams as well with the likes of the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, all having the cap space to sign him this summer.

But Los Angeles and Brooklyn never got anywhere with conversations while the Knicks are yet to call the Wolves. That leaves the Rockets as the seemingly new favorites as they are being "aggressive" in their pursuit of the 29-year-old.

"Like Miami, Houston doesn't have the salary-cap space to sign Butler in the summer and needs to acquire him now to obtain his Bird Rights to retain him on a new deal in July," Wojnarowski wrote.

It was reported last month that Butler wanted a trade away from Minnesota with the Clippers initially being his top choice, later, the Heat.

The Marquette graduate's current deal runs till 2019 with him having a $19.8 million player option for next season, though, should he stay with Minnesota, he is expected to join a loaded free agent class next summer that could have the likes of Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Klay Thompson among others.

Wojnarowski added that Miami's willingness to offer Butler a five-year maximum contract somewhere in the region of $190 million next summer played a role in his desire to join them, however, they need to trade for him this season.

Should he join Houston however, it could change the landscape of the NBA. The Rockets were just one win away from defeating the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals last season and adding one of the best players in the league to a team with James Harden and Chris Paul could propel them to take that extra step forward.

Butler was notably part of the Minnesota side who made the playoffs for the first time since 2004 last season but were eliminated in the first round by the Rockets in five games.

With the new NBA season kicking off next week, it will be interesting to keep an eye on Butler and whether a potential trade occurs before it begins.

The former Chicago Bulls star has been given permission to miss out on preseason practice but is reported to be working out at Minnesota's team facility and has been in contact with his teammates.