The Houston Rockets are reportedly prioritizing Jimmy Butler this summer. Pretty much up against the luxury tax, the only way general manager Daryl Morey and Co. can make this work is by talking the Philadelphia 76ers in to a sign-and-trade for Butler.
Even then, other pieces would have to be moved in order for Houston to fit Butler’s likely max contract.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, that includes the Rockets offering up Clint Capela, Eric Gordon and P.J. Tucker to other teams in separate trades.
The goal here would be to both shed salary and acquire draft capital that could entice Philadelphia in a potential sign-and-trade deal.
Sure this all seems to far-fetched. But we’ve seen Morey work his magic in more ways than one over the course of his Rockets career.
It’s not yet known if Philadelphia would consider a sign-and-trade deal should it become clear that Butler isn’t interested in re-signing.