Why the Rockets would do it
Going back to MacMahon, he guessed that the Rockets could decide if they are going to build around center Alperen Sengun or guard Jalen Green at some point soon. Smart money is on Sengun staying put after he proved he could be a fulcrum of Houston’s offense as a passing big man.
"I don't know if both Şengün and Green are going to be here long-term,” MacMahon said recently. “My guess—and I emphasize guess—is that one or the other would end up getting moved at some point when they take their big swing."
Adding Butler to a lineup with other high basketball IQ players like VanVleet and Sengun makes for a good fit without draining the Rockets of some of their most important young talens.
Trading away Green and the No. 3 pick would still leave Houston with Amen Thomopson and Jabari Smith Jr. – two players who fit well alongside Sengun long-term and could find ways to contribute next to VanVleet and Butler in the short-term.
In this scenario, the Rockets’ starting lineup could be VanVleet, Thompson, Butler, Smith and Sengun, with Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason and Steven Adams available off the bench.