Rockets Target List Emerges, Pushing Sixers For Jimmy Butler Trade

The Houston Rockets seem ready to assert themselves into the free agency market and a list of potential targets has emerged. General manager Daryl Morey is keen to reinforce the team and make a run for the NBA championship in 2020.

Golden State Warriors have knocked out the Rockets in each of the last three seasons in the post-season playoffs but they are certain they can win a title with James Harden and are looking to add another star to partner “the beard” and Chris Paul next season. Philadelphia 76ers’ soon-to-be free agent Jimmy Butler is said to be top of their wish list going into the offseason.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Rockets are planning to push the 76ers into a sign-and-trade deal. The Houston franchise so not have the cap space to sign a free agent and will reportedly have to make it a multi-team deal to satisfy the rules of base year compensation that will cover Butler’s outgoing salary.

The Sixers are keen to retain Butler and are almost certain to offer him a max contract worth $190 million over five years, which could end any chance the Rockets have of signing the shooting guard. The Philadelphia franchise could also offer him a four-year deal worth $146.5 million.

Another option for Butler will be to sign a four-year $140 million deal on the way to the Rockets, according to Wojnarowski, but the Houston franchise will have to include two players – center Clint Capela, guard Eric Gordon or power forward PJ Tucker – to make the financial deal work.

The Rockets were keen to sign Butler last season when he was with Minnesota Timberwolves and offered four future first-round picks but they chose to trade the guard to Philadelphia for Dario Saric and Robert Covington in November.

Meanwhile, Butler is not the only player on the Rockets’ radar going into the offseason with The Athletic’s Sam Amick reporting that they also have their eye on a number of other free agents. The list includes Danny Green, Jeremy Lamb, Al-Farouq Aminu, DeAndre Jordan, Brook Lopez and Kevon Looney.

Houston’s salary commitments going into next season is already over $100 million but they are still under the luxury tax bracket. They will have to allow players to leave before they can take on any big financial commitment in terms of signing a free agent.