Inside The Rockets

NBA Trade Rumors: Heat's Jimmy Butler to Rockets?

Jimmy Butler could be traded by the Miami Heat to the Houston Rockets.

Jeremy Brener

Dec 1, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) shoots the ball as Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett (9) defends in the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Dec 1, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) shoots the ball as Toronto Raptors forward RJ Barrett (9) defends in the first half at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images / Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
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The Houston Rockets are among the league's best teams at this point in the season, lining them up to be buyers at the trade deadline in February.

Among the stars rumored to be on the block is Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler. HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto says that the Rockets and in-state rival Dallas Mavericks could be looking to make a trade for him.

"Within league circles, there’s been quiet discourse about whether the Houston Rockets or Dallas Mavericks will eventually land Butler, a Texas native, should he and Miami decide to part ways. For now, however, the Rockets are among the top teams with a young core, and the Mavericks remain a contender in the tightly competitive Western Conference. It’s also worth noting executives who’ve checked in on Butler got the impression that Miami wants to figure out their star’s future after the season," Scotto writes.

Butler, 35, has a player option on his contract for $52.4 million next season, which is expensive, but the Rockets could make space for him if they traded Jalen Green, who will make more money next season as part of the extension he signed before the start of the year.

The Rockets may take the opportunity to capitalize on Butler being a veteran star and strike while the iron is hot with a team around him equipped to contend for a championship.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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