Jimmy Butler Trade Rumors: Rockets 'Team to Watch' If Heat Decide to Shop Star

The Houston Rockets are a potential suitor for Jimmy Butler if the Miami Heat decide to trade the star forward, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

"The Rockets are also increasingly mentioned by monitoring rivals as a team to watch should Miami ever reach a point that it chooses to explore its trade options with Jimmy Butler, who grew up some 30 miles away from Houston in Tomball, Texas," Stein wrote on Sunday.

Butler could enter free agency in 2025 by declining his $52.4 million player option for the 2025-26 season after he was unable to agree to a contract extension with the Heat over the summer.

Team president Pat Riley revealed that he hasn't had "a lot of conversation" with Butler surrounding the forward's future with the organization and has talked to his agent "at times," per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his long-term outlook with the organization, the Heat may not be willing to part ways with the star. Shams Charania reported for The Athletic in June that Miami has "shown no interest" in trading Butler.

The Heat have opened the 2024-25 season with a 1-1 record, with the six-time All-Star wrapping up contrasting performances. Butler dropped a mere three points on 1-8 shooting in a season-opening loss to the Orlando Magic.

He bounced back in Miami's second contest, scoring 26 points and dishing out eight assists while shooting 46.7 percent from the field. Butler also pulled down eight rebounds and recorded two steals.

It's difficult to imagine the Heat looking to move Butler as they attempt to secure a sixth consecutive playoff appearance, although Riley could be willing to listen to offers if they struggle to open the season.

Butler doesn't exactly match the timeline of a Rockets team led by 22-year-old guard Jalen Green and 22-year-old center Alperen Şengün, but his presence could be enough to help Houston end its playoff drought.

The Rockets' win total has increased in each of the past three seasons, but they still haven't advanced to the postseason since their 2019-20 campaign. In order to get over the hump, general manager Rafael Stone could look to acquire Butler if the Heat can't stay consistent.