Lately in the news, all you have been hearing about is these rumors about how Chris Paul is demanding a trade out of Houston and how the ownership was saying his contract was a mistake. Even though Chris Paul is denying the rumors that he doesn’t want to be out of Houston, there is still lots of stuff going on in the organization. Now the rumors are is the Houston Rockets are trying to convince Jimmy Butler to do a sign-and-trade deal to send Butler to the Rockets to team up beside Chris Paul and James Harden as a Big Three.

The Rockets lost to the Warriors in the playoffs the past two years in a row, the first time in Game 7 of the 2018 Western Conference Finals, and the second time in six games in the 2019 Western Conference semifinals. The Rockets are just looking for a way to get past the Golden State Warriors to make it to the Finals. Their move is now trying to bring in four time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler who averaged 18.2 points per game for the Sixers last season. But if the Rockets want to get this guy, they can’t just sign him, they would have to move some pieces to get him.

James Harden and Chris are both projected to make over $38 million dollars next year, as Clint Capella and Eric Gordon are two that will be making $16 and $14 million dollars next year for the Houston Rockets. There is very little room to give Jimmy Butler a very good contract, so that is why the Rockets will possibly have to move some pieces in order to bring in this guy to the team.

Who are some pieces that could possibly be moved if this sign and trade happens?

Clint Capela

Clint Capela was the guy Houston wanted for their big man when they kicked Dwight Howard out of Houston. He is a solid big man for the Rockets, but they might have to kick him out if they want Jimmy Butler. He has a decently good size contract for the team. Clint Capela can catch a lot lobs and finish at the hole. He has about four years left on his contract, so if he gets traded to the Sixers in this deal, The Sixers can have a dominant front court of Joel Embiid and Clint Capela for years to come.

Eric Gordon

Eric Gordon is a former sixth man of the year when he was on the Rockets. He moved his way to a starter on the team, but he could be a piece that could be moved in this trade. He has one year left on his contract until he becomes a free agent in the summer of 2020, but he could be a piece the Sixers could want for a year and a guy they can keep as a solid shooter if JJ Redick decides not to come back to Philadelphia next year. If the Sixers get him and decide they don’t want to keep him the next season then they can have some money to sign another big free agent in that summer.

P.J. Tucker

P.J. Tucker is a guy who has lots of toughness and lots of shoes, but this guy could be sent packing in the deal. The Rockets might have to send P.J. Tucker in the deal if the Sixers don’t want to take on the two big contracts in Capella and Gordon. If P.J. Tucker gets traded to the Sixers, he could be a guy that would probably come off the bench, but he could be a spark plug and a toughness that could make the Sixers stronger.

Chris Paul

Chris Paul was denying the demand for a trade, but you never know, Chris Paul could maybe be moved in this trade. Chris Paul has a massive contract who isn’t the player he was back in New Orleans or Los Angeles. He is out of his prime, he is known for team chemistry issues, and wants to win. The Rockets might not be wanting to get rid of both Capela and Gordon. They might just want to get rid Paul and Gordon and keep Capela, or they might send Paul and Capela and keep Gordon so that they can have money for free agency in 2020. If Paul goes to the Sixers, the Sixers will get a point guard they have wanted and this could mean Ben Simmons will have to start working on his midrange and three point game at the starting small forward in Philly.

What my thoughts about this possible trade?

If this trade happens this could be a good trade, but it is a risk doing this trade. If the trade were to happen, what I would do is send Chris Paul and Eric Gordon in the trade, keep your big man Clint Capela, and have some money to possibly maybe sign a good role player in free agency. I think that is what the Rockets should do, because it gets rid of two big contracts and keeps a good big man to have a solid strong team. But the Rockets I think are looking to want to keep Paul and form a big 3 with him, Harden, and Butler. I think that the Rockets are only willing to trade Capela and Gordon with this trade. I also think that if the Rockets do this trade, I think that there could be more locker room problems in Houston. Jimmy Butler was a little bit of a problem back in Minnesota calling out teammates and coaches, Chris Paul was always fighting with teammates and coaches in LA, and Harden has had previous issues with teammates like Dwight Howard, and rumors are saying that he is having problems with Chris Paul now.

Just think about it, five seconds left in the game, who takes the game winning shot? Harden, Paul, and Butler love having the ball and getting the game winning shot, that could lead to arguments. All of them are selfish players that want to have the ball and get the points they want. It might not work if they do this sign-and-trade.

The Sixers don’t have to do this trade, they can do this trade if they want if they know that Butler isn’t coming back and they could let him go and focus on other players like Tobias Harris and JJ Redick in free agency. If they want to let him go, the Rockets will have to make some trades if they want to put Butler on this roster. Or if the Rockets don’t even want Butler, they can just keep the guys they have and possibly think of other ways to make the team.

Free Agency offseason is almost here, things are starting to heat up on who is going where, I can’t wait to see all the juicy stuff.

Also, the Celtics are going to be targeting Kemba Walker in free agency which makes me excited to hear about, because he would be a great addition to the team if Kyrie leaves.

Go Celtics!

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