Former Rockets legend would prefer to see Jalen Green to Miami

The Jimmy Butler to the Houston Rockets rumors are getting exhausted.

Seriously. It would be a fool's errand to try to catalog every SpaceCityScoop article on this subject. It seems like everyone wants Butler to land in Space City. Often, they want Jalen Green to take his talents to South Beach in the process.

It isn't only pundits and analysts calling for that swap. Recently, a former NBA star advocated for a similar arrangement. Most painfully, he's a former Rocket.

(Here we go again).

Former Rockets legend wants Jalen Green to head to Miami

Younger Rockets fans may not know much about Trevor Ariza. He's one of those elite NBA role players who is quickly lost to time:

But if you know, you know.

During Ariza's tenure in Houston, he was the consummate three-and-D wing. He was the perfect foil for James Harden. Ariza didn't mind that Harden had the ball. He was willing to wait in the corner and launch a triple if the ball came to him.

It was hard not to love him as a Rocket. That's why this hurts. Ariza wants to see Jalen Green in Miami.

"You know, the Heat culture and what they have and his talent matched together, it would send his game and his career into a completely different stratosphere"
-Trevor Ariza on Jalen Green

That's what Ariza had to say on Matt Barnes' All the Smoke podcast. It stings.

Is it fair?

Ariza misses the mark on Green

What stratosphere exactly? One where Green is averaging 28.8 points per game with a 58.3 True Shooting % (TS%).

Yes, it's been four games. Let's not forget March of last season, either. Green has flashed plenty of potential on the Rockets. He just hasn't been consistent yet.

Let's be honest - Ariza isn't entirely off-base. The Heat have a longstanding reputation as one of the best-run organizations in the NBA. The Rockets have a relatively green (no pun intended) general manager and coach. Perhaps Green would thrive on the Heat.

None of which means that he won't thrive on the Rockets. Let's state the obvious - the Rockets don't care what benefits the Heat. They want what's best for them.

So, once more for the people in the back - trading for Jimmy Butler is not what's best for the Rockets. He's too old, too past his prime, and doesn't move the needle enough to justify an all-in push. Trading Green for him now would be patently absurd.

Green is developing into a star before our very eyes. The Rockets have invested in him this far. Cutting bait now just to bring in a 35-year-old, sub-All-NBA player would be senseless. Unless an MVP candidate becomes available, the Rockets should see if Green continues to grow:

He doesn't need to go to Miami to do that.