Jimmy Butler's latest interview shows precisely why Rockets should steer clear

The Houston Rockets are one of the NBA's most surprising teams this year.

They haven't just surpassed expectations - they've blown them out of the water. Interestingly, all of their players aren't even playing up to snuff. in particular, their backcourt has been disappointing. Fred VanVleet is regressing, and Jalen Green has been dreadfully disappointing.

So, there's a puzzle here that's easy to put together. The Rockets are good, and their backcourt is bad. Trading for a lead guard feels like a prudent decision, right?

It depends on the lead guard. The Rockets have been linked to several players. One of them is Jimmy Butler. He's technically closer to a wing, but Butler's ability to create shots would elevate this Rockets team. Moreover, playing an extra wing in the absence of a traditional off-guard could bolster an already-elite defense.

The Rockets should pass on him anyway - especially after his last interview.

Rockets' trade target alienates current team

For transparency's sake, I was already vocally against a Butler deal. Let's recap the premises of that argument.

Butler is old. He's already outside of his prime. There's a plausible reality wherein Butler is a worse NBA player than Dillon Brooks in two seasons. Offering him a max extension this summer would be self-destructive.

So, the Rockets could acquire Butler as a one-year rental. Giving up assets for a rental would be asinine. Sending out a first-round pick now will leave the Rockets less equipped to acquire a more appropriate star when they hit the market.

If the price is astronomically low? Sure. Go get Butler:

Although, there are concerns about bringing him on board in any situation.

Butler is too volatile for the Rockets

This is not intended to be a character assassination. So, let's give Butler his flowers before handing him a bouquet of thorns.

Butler is a winner. He dragged an undermanned Heat squad to the NBA FInals just seasons ago. He's a playoff riser, and he's been giving maximum effort on NBA courts for years.

WIth that out of the way...

This isn't the first time Butler has forced his way out of town in a questionable manner. When he was on the Timberwolves, he infamously dogged the team in practice. Butler created an environment that was uncomfortable to the point of being untenable, and he left.

Now, he's doing the same thing in South Beach. Butler says he's lost his joy. Who's to say he'll regain it in Houston?

If Butler joins this team tomorrow, the Rockets may still run their offense through Alperen Sengun. If Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore, or someone else breaks out, they'll leave Butler in the hierarchy as well. The Rockets stand to benefit from prioritizing younger players.

Suppose the Rockets land Butler and extend him. Now, imagine that in a season or two, he's the team's third option - and he isn't happy about it. Suddenly, the Rockets are left with one of the worst contracts in the NBA. Butler will be a 37-year-old distressed asset. The Rockets don't need to take on that risk:

They're having a stellar season without Butler.