If Heat trade Jimmy Butler to Rockets, they better hold out for future star
By Brennan Sims
"Cleveland, this is for you!" was the five-word phrase LeBron James belted in his postgame interview after leading his hometown franchise to glory in 2016.
2011 MVP winner Derrick Rose was drafted by his hometown franchise, the Chicago Bulls, and became the biggest Bulls star post-Michael Jordan.
After contract disputes with the Heat front office, Miami Heat's own Dwyane Wade returned home to Chicago in 2018. Wade could've gone anywhere else in the league but chose to return him to Chicago.
Some players value playing in their hometowns, and some relish playing in front of family and friends who knew them before their fame. This Bleacher Report piece suggests that Jimmy Butler should follow the same path but for different reasons.
Writer Andy Bailey proposed the following Miami Heat trade to the Houston Rockets: Jimmy Butler for Cam Whitmore, Dillon Brooks, Jeff Green, Jock Landale, a 2030 first-round pick and a 2031 first-round pick swap
Why the Rockets should want Jimmy Butler
Butler would be returning home. The native of Tomball, Texas (41 minutes from Houston), would put the Rockets on the brink of contention while the Heat's timeline would reset. Who wins this deal? Does it make sense for either side? After working through the gunk, we will grade this trade from both perspectives.
The core of Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, and Fred VanVleet might not need as long as we thought to contend. The Rockets made massive strides toward greatness last year. Their #7 ranked defense, behind the brilliance of Ime Udoka, is something they can hang their hat on. The addition of Butler does nothing but add to that culture.
Butler would be essential in helping Green's mentality. Green undoubtedly has All-Star potential, evidenced by his last stretch of the season play last year (29.2 PPG, 62 TS%, 15 GP). The question around Green is what he can do when his shot isn't falling. Butler could be crucial in getting Green to see the light. They say defense wins championships for a reason. He's athletic enough to stay in front of guys. Do it consistently.
The Rockets are giving up key cogs in this deal. Dillion Brooks is one of the culture setters. His intensity and grittiness played a role in the Rockets' successful defense. He's valuable, but Butler is the better version of Brooks. Butler is the same dog defensively but takes smarter shots on offense. Butler can act as an on-ball creator for others, a skill Brooks hasn't shown yet. Rockets fans wouldn't miss Brooks if they acquired Butler. They'd be getting the missing piece with Jimmy, the closer who's proven it time and time again.
Jeff Green and Jake Lockdale are reliable veterans a coach can trust with more than just spot minutes. Losing them will hurt only if young guns like Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard and Tari Eason don't grow as expected. Cam Whitmore has flashed massive potential and has thrown down plenty of rewind-worthy dunks in his young career.
He and those draft picks are the only reason the Heat should consider this deal, unless they send a counter offer.