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The Minnesota Timberwolves reached out to the Houston Rockets about a possible Jimmy Butler trade on Tuesday after talks with the Miami Heat fell apart.

The Wolves have remained adamant on receiving both Eric Gordon and P.J. Tucker from the Rockets.

Houston, so far, has refused to include Tucker in talks.

Tucker is entering the second season of a four-year, $32 million deal.

Via Stefano Fusaro/ESPN

Will they even be able to resign butler if they trade for him? Hes gonna want close to the max.

That's a horrible return if thats all the Wolves are seeking, Miami's offer easily tops this

I think there is an agent worried for the lack of offers for Jimmy, and is trying to create a market for his client.

I would prefer to tank for a second banana to play with KAT than bring those mature, not really good players to make us relatively competitive as a quick fix to keep Thibs job. Tucker is a system player and Gordon injury history doesnt match with Thibs at all. He will probably accuse a injury as soon as he enter in the practice facility.

PJ freaking Tucker is holding back the Rockets from doing a trade like this? I am not a fan of either team, but please tell me that's not true.

JimmyJammer wrote:PJ freaking Tucker is holding back the Rockets from doing a trade like this? I am not a fan of either team, but please tell me that's not true.

Morey isn't that stupid.

spicy6 wrote:Will they even be able to resign butler if they trade for him? Hes gonna want close to the max.

yes, they'd have his bird rights. Now... will ownership want to pay that much lux tax may be a question. I would assume so if they're trading for him...

This cannot be a true story.

bizarre [insert Jackie Chan meme here]

depth is more important to the rockets than getting another Max guy when they already have CP3, Harden, and Melo to take shots.

Its looks like Rockets would be happy if they can get him for free without giving up anyone and without any cap complication. That would get the deal done on their end.

Tucker is in a reasonable deal for the next 3 yrs years. Houston isn't resigning Butler so he is a 1 yr rental.

daoneandonly wrote:That's a horrible return if thats all the Wolves are seeking, Miami's offer easily tops this

I don't know who would look more inept.
TWolves for taking this deal, or Rockets for refusing to include Tucker.

Both look dumb if this is credible.

Some may think this would be a crummy deal, but in all honesty, this may be the best deal the Wolves could legitimately get. And no, the Heat can't make a better offer that the Wolves would accept.

It's strange how many people don't understand the value of a guy like PJ Tucker, especially with the contract he's on.
I know casual fans overlook players like him but come on. There's a reason contenders value guys like that.

Adam Stern wrote:It's strange how many people don't understand the value of a guy like PJ Tucker, especially with the contract he's on.
I know casual fans overlook players like him but come on. There's a reason contenders value guys like that.

i dont think its ppl not appreciating him or understanding his value, it's he's not an integral part of a tarde for a superstar. Especially if the only other piece is Eric Gordon, a guy who was a nobody prior to D'Antoni and will be one after. J-Rich is young with tremendous upside to still improve, Tucker & Gordon are who they are

Wow. This move would make them the favorite against the Warriors in a playoff series. Eric Gordon? Tucker? It's a no brainer!

That's it? Rockets better take that and run.

Biscayne Beast wrote:depth is more important to the rockets than getting another Max guy when they already have CP3, Harden, and Melo to take shots.

This!

Fans overvalue stars. You still need to put five, well rested, NBA caliber players on the floor.

Bringing Jimmy in would definitely beef up their starting 5. But their bench would take a serious hit. Gordon and Tucker averaged a combined 59 minutes last season. Assuming Butler plays around 34 minutes, that would mean an additional 25 minutes pulled from the end of the HOU bench.

Gordon + Tucker > Butler + Random Scrub

That combined with the fact that Butler has averaged 67 games per season since he became a starter. So you can count on 15 games of Random Scrub + Other Random Scrub.

And that 3rd max deal would hamstring the organization for the foreseeable future.

While the overall top end of talent is clear. . .I'm not so convinced about this move for the Rockets. This would really deplete their depth. In a 7 game playoff series you need the bench to contribute. Sure a Paul-Harden-Butler lineup alongside Capela and one of either Melo or Chriss is an amazing starting 5. And there are some interesting players in MCW and Brandon Knight that can fill in for Gordon. But replacing Tucker becomes a problem. He's probably underrated in terms of what he brings. These minutes go to Chriss or Melo, and you would undoubtedly need PF minutes from James Ennis or Gerald Green. And old man Nene needs to be a contributor and remain healthy.

I'd probably do it and I'd start Melo at the 4. . .but this is an "all-in" move and you're rolling the dice on injury. In a stacked West where you're already at the top end, the drop off could be huge. Still the Rockets take risks, and that's one of the reasons they're where they are.