Rockets News: New gig for owner, new trade chatter for superstar

SpaceCityScoop is not a political site. It's a site dedicated to the Houston Rockets. Politics are typically best left to political spaces. This is a sports site.

Sometimes, sports and politics intersect. When that happens in the Rockets' universe, you can count on SpaceCityScoop as your source for political news.

So, anyway...here we are.

Rockets owner lands prestigious new job

Tillman Fertitta has owned the Rockets for a few years now. Given the team's current position, it's fair to say he's done a fine job:

If we're willing to forgive him for shortchanging Trevor Ariza, that is.

Let's not get hung up on the past. Fertitta has overseen Rafael Stone's rebuild and landed the Rockets in a great spot. Is it possible that soon-to-be US president Donald Trump took notice?

He's named Fertitta as the United States' official ambassador to Italy.

Leave your political views aside. This author is struggling to do the same, but it must be done. Instead, lets congratulate Fertitta. This is a prestigious position. Hopefully, it doesn't impede his work with the Rockets:

After all, there are some big decisions on the horizon.

Rockets continuously linked to Heat star

There will be discussion surrounding the Rockets and Jimmy Butler until Butler is either sent elsewhere, or the deadline passes. It's as inevitable as Trump's presidency.

Staying on theme, it will be a divisive issue. Some Rockets fans will feel that bringing Butler home could help them take the next step to title contention. Others will suggest that there's no sense in shortchanging the future. They'll want to hang onto the "core seven" rather than acquire Butler.

Could their be a compromise? Bobby Marks of ESPN thinks so. He's suggesting that the Rockets would trade Dillon Brooks, Jae'Sean Tate, Jock Landale, Aaron Holiday and a pair of first-round picks for the aging Heat star.

Is that something the Rockets should entertain?

Rockets should stay the course

It's certainly debatable. Butler would be an undeniable upgrade for this roster. If the Rockets added him at this cost, they could win a playoff series or two in 2024-25.

I'd still pass. Those first-round picks could be vital in acquiring a more age-appropriate star down the road. Butler is a free agent this summer - he's either a rental or a long-term max contract for a player whose prime has already passed.

Suppose the Rockets extend Butler. It wouldn't be a surprise if next season was by far his worst, and there will be several years left to endure. Now, suppose they don't extend him. Why give up a pair of first-rounders for a single season of Butler's play?

For Stone's part, it seems like he's going to pass.

That's for the best. The Rockets are in a great place. Why fix something that isn't broken? If Jalen Green can't find a consistently high level of play, seeking out a younger lead guard could be sensible. Otherwise, the Rockets should keep this core together as long as possible. So far, this regime has done a fine job:

Hopefully, nobody is too distracted to keep it that way.