Jimmy Butler will reportedly meet with both the Miami Heat and Houston Rockets once free agency opens according to ESPN’s Adrain Wojnarowski. Both Miami and Houston would need to acquire Butler via a sign and trade, most likely with the Philadelphia 76ers, to make the finances work.
Sources: Jimmy Butler expected to meet the Miami Heat in South Fla. Sunday. Butler/Rockets meeting likely early week in LA. Sixers haven’t ruled out working with Butler on sign-and-trades, which Miami and Houston need to acquire the All-Star guard.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2019
Philadelphia acquired Butler last season from the Minnesota Timberwolves for a series of players and picks. There were some pain points when Butler first arrived, namely in offensive touches and play calling, but the team ended up one bounce away from potentially going to the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Houston Rockets recently expressed interest in acquiring Jimmy Butler through a sign-and-trade, so them getting a meeting is not entirely surprising. Both Miami and Houston would have to jump over significant financial hurdles to get their hands on Butler. Butler does not have to sign a deal with the Sixers for a sign-and-trade either, though that is the most-likely scenario. Any team could get in on whatever assets Houston or Miami are willing to give up by signing Butler and then recouping the return. Whatever that may be.
Houston in particular has shown a strong interest in rearranging their roster to take advantage of the injury-ravaged Golden State Warriors. Miami has shown strong interest in Butler for quite some time, and have the players to match Butler’s salary in a trade. Plus, a very investing exchange between now-retired Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler:
hey big head. https://t.co/iYDvs2nos2
— Jimmy Butler (@JimmyButler) June 29, 2019
