The Houston Rockets are willing to move some of their key supporting cast to open up cap space and get draft picks that could set up a Jimmy Butler sign-and-trade, according to a report.
Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe of ESPN reported Wednesday that the Rockets have reached out to teams with cap space and offered Clint Capela, Eric Gordon, and PJ Tucker individually. Houston’s hope is that they can net a quality first-round pick to offer to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Butler.
Reporting w/ @ZachLowe: Houston’s offering Clint Capela, Eric Gordon and PJ Tucker individually to teams w/ space to absorb salary. Rockets trying for best available first-rounder for any of those three, hoping to redirect pick to Philly in pursuit of Jimmy Butler sign-and-trade.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2019
Philadelphia has been privately expressing confidence around NBA that it can re-sign Butler and Tobias Harris, but Houston remains on case of selling Butler/76ers with a sign-and-trade scenario once free agency starts on Sunday. https://t.co/xk3vLdDCGn
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 26, 2019
The report underscores just how serious the Rockets appear to be about landing Butler via a sign-and-trade. The 76ers will want to keep him, and there are a lot of doubts over whether this is actually a good fit for the Rockets. They’re clearly intent on making it happen, for better or worse.
