The Houston Rockets are reportedly making a rather aggressive push to acquire star swingman Jimmy Butler from the Minnesota Timberwolves, but it sounds like what they are offering is still not enough.
On Thursday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Rockets have offered a package that includes four first-round picks for Butler. While that may sound like a lot, Shams Charania of The Athletic was told Minnesota is not excited about it.
Minnesota is showing no inclination to move on Houston offer of two injured players and four first-rounders for Jimmy Butler, per sources. On @WatchStadium: pic.twitter.com/NnXkMwXd9N
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 26, 2018
As Charania notes, Houston is offering two players who are injured and have no timetable for return in Marquese Chriss and Brandon Knight. More importantly, four first-round picks from a contending team like the Rockets will almost certainly equate to a pick somewhere in the 20s in each of the next four NBA Drafts. That isn’t the type of return the Timberwolves want for trading a star player.
The 1-3 Rockets simply may not have the assets the T-Wolves are seeking, and we know there is at least one other team that still wants Butler. It’s possible — if not likely — that Houston and Minnesota just aren’t compatible given what both teams are seeking.
