10 increasingly likely superstars the Rockets could consider this summer

6. Jimmy Butler

The Rockets have shot their shot at Jimmy Butler on multiple occasions. Once during the 2018-19 season, when then-Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau refused to deal him to the Rockets, and once in the 2019 offseason, when Butler had a sudden change of heart and signed with the Miami Heat, leaving the Rockets hanging at the altar.

The Rockets thought they had a deal lined up with the greater Houston native and went so far as to line up trades to create the necessary cap space to give Butler a max contract.

Maybe the third time’s the charm?

Butler has one year left on his deal, before 2025-26, in which he has a player option. It’s not far-fetched to believe that Pat Riley would move Butler, in hopes of getting younger and/or more assets to better position the Heat to win a championship.

They’ve reached the Big Stage with Butler multiple times but haven’t yet been able to actually hang another banner. If this happens, the Rockets would have to ask themselves whether they’d want the 34-year-old, as he’d be entering his 14th season and has a ton of tread on his tires.

But depending on the asking price, such a deal could make sense.