Inside The Heat

Miami Heat Star Named 'Realistic' Trade Target For Young Western Conference Team

Anthony Pasciolla

Dec 31, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) and center/forward Bam Adebayo (13) talk before a free-throw shot against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images
Dec 31, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) and center/forward Bam Adebayo (13) talk before a free-throw shot against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Vivint Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images / Christopher Creveling-Imagn Images

The Miami Heat look like an average team a few weeks into the regular season, meaning they need to pick a direction for their future.

Either make a blockbuster trade at February's deadline to help compete for a championship next to Jimmy Butler or begin to retool around Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. The Heat are not as concerning as the Milwaukee Bucks or Philadelphia 76ers at No. 10 in the Eastern Conference, but also don't appear a threat to the reigning champion Boston Celtics or other title favorites.

If the Heat's front office decides moving on from Butler is their preferred approach, the Houston Rockets are a team to look out for. Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes named Butler as the 'realistic' trade target for the Rockets.

"Houston has a glut of young players who need rotation minutes and may not be able to accommodate them this season. Butler could be had for two or three of them in a consolidation trade. The trick would be figuring out which combination of Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason or Cam Whitmore would be outgoing," Hughes wrote. "The Rockets should probably take Thompson, Sheppard and Smith off the table."

Hughes hit one point spot on: do not include the rookie Sheppard in any deal that doesn't land them Giannis Antetokounmpo. Outside of the former Kentucky Wildcat, Houston's front office should have the willingness to part with any pieces of their roster to add Butler.

With the addition of the 35-year-old, the Rockets could join the crowd of contenders in the Western Conference.

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Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or follow him on X @AnthonyPasci.

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Anthony Pasciolla
ANTHONY PASCIOLLA

Anthony Pasciolla is a sports journalist who began covering the NBA in June 2023. A Philadelphia native, Anthony has experience covering the Philadelphia 76ers as a credentialed reporter. He has written for Miami Heat, Back In The Day Hoops, Kansas State Wildcats, and Illinois Fighting Illini on Sports Illustrated. His work also includes 76ers coverage for The Sporting News and previous stories for Athlon Sports and BasketballNews. When he’s not covering the NBA, you can find him spending time with friends and family or diving into the world of fantasy football. Follow him on X @AnthonyPasci or reach him via email at ampasciolla@gmail.com