The Houston Rockets may be pursuing a sign-and-trade with the Philadelphia 76ers for Jimmy Butler, but that doesn't mean the 76ers and Butler are going to indulge them.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski and Zach Lowe of ESPN, there is no indication that Philadelphia is even interested in completing a sign-and-trade with Houston, nor is there evidence that Butler would be open to the idea.
The Sixers have seemed intent on keeping Butler and Tobias Harris, both of whom are set to be free agents, so it's entirely possible that the Sixers may take their shot with Butler before ultimately deciding whether they should engage the Rockets.
In the case of Butler, it's not known if he would be okay with joining a team that already has two ball-dominant guards in James Harden and Chris Paul, who reportedly clashed during the playoffs. This led to rumors that Paul wanted out.
Houston would have to trade two or three of Clint Capela, Eric Gordon and PJ Tucker to Philadelphia in order to match the salary of what would be a four-year, $140 million max contract for Butler. Or, the Rockets would have to get a third team involved.
Butler was originally dealt to the Sixers back in November after demanding a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves just over a year after the Timberwolves initially acquired in him a 2017 draft night deal with the Chicago Bulls.
The Rockets are looking to revamp their roster after yet another playoff exit at the hands of the Golden State Warriors.
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