Rockets Rumors: Major updates on 2 significant star trade targets

Some Houston Rockets fans are vying for a blockbuster trade. Others want to see the year out with their current core. It's a divisive dynamic that's led to no shortage of debates.

Some targets have been more popular than others. The Kings' De'Aaron Fox is one of the most prominent names. He's a Houstonian, and the Rockets have a distinct need for a lead guard.

Adjust your expectations if you're pining for the hometown hero. Recent rumblings indicate that Fox isn't heading to Houston any time soon.

He doesn't seem to be heading anywhere.

Rockets trade target is not on the move

NBA insider Marc Stein suggests that Fox will remain a King through the trade deadline.

"Rival teams do not consider Fox available as we speak, just as [Donovan] Mitchell was never made available last season no matter how often teams called the Cavaliers, but we’ll have to see if that holds"

-Marc Stein, NBA insider

Even then, Stein reports that the Rockets wouldn't necessarily pursue Fox if he shook loose this offseason. That's not to say they wouldn't - that's simply to say it's unclear.

Houston could take either direction here. Fox is a very good player who has a skillset the Rockets need. On the other hand, his next contract is due soon. The Rockets may not want to commit substantial cap space to a player who's comfortably outside of the league's top 10 players.

On that note...

Rockets trade target makes explosive comments

Like Fox, Jimmy Butler is also a Houston native. More significantly, he also has impending contract negotiations. Unlike Fox, Butler is well outside of his prime.

It seems that he won't be rounding out his storied career with the Heat.

That's Jimmy Butler, telling the world that he gets no joy out of playing for the Heat. This was a tremendously consequential postgame interview.

Rockets fans are having flashbacks. This is reminiscent of a certain situation that was crazy, and couldn't be fixed. In case you're new to town, it's a lot like the postgame interview that would eventually see James Harden leave the Rockets.

History does not need to repeat itself here.

Rockets don't need Butler

Jimmy Butler is 35. He's already aging out of his prime. In a season or two, it's possible that he won't be a starting-caliber player.

He may! Modern medicine is a marvel. LeBron James is 40, and this won't be his last year in the league. He's still a star. Butler could have years of stardom ahead.

Still, it's quite the gamble. It's also one the Rockets don't have to take. Sure, if the Heat would accept some combination of the Rockets' expiring contracts and a protected first, the Rockets could justify a one-year rental. The Heat are likely to want more, and the Rockets shouldn't give it to them:

No matter what fans want.