Houston Rockets: The final offer the team had made for Jimmy Butler

The Houston Rockets made one final revision to their offer for Jimmy Butler but it still wasn’t enough to land their object of affection. Who was packaged?

The Houston Rockets are trying their utmost to return to a sense of normalcy after a horrific 1-5 start by winning five of their last seven games. Slowly but surely, this team is forming the identity that we’ve come to love since Mike D’Antoni took over the reigns of this team just three seasons ago.

Their shots are now falling and their playing defense on a consistent basis through four quarters. Yes, there have been lapses but at least they’re doing the things to ensure that they win basketball games. That’s paramount if they expect to make any inroads in the Western Conference to which they’ve falling a bit behind the leaders of the pack.

The good thing is that it’s a 82-game season and they have plenty of time to course-correct.

I’d also have to commend this team for remaining focused despite the distraction of Carmelo Anthony‘s eventual jettison from the team because of the displeasure of his current role of the team. He has only started two games this season — which was out of necessity — and he’s not happy about it.

I was hoping that there was a trade market for him but that’s proving to be drier than a bone right now so the Houston Rockets are going to have to look at waiving him, hopefully to a destination that both parties agree upon so that they don’t pay the luxury tax on Melo’s $2.7 million salary for 2018-19.

Any way, what if I told that the Houston Rockets pulled even more stops to try to pry Jimmy Butler away from the Minnesota Timberwolves?

That’s what Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey did, upping the ante for his services.

After the initial offer of four first-round picks, Morey added Marquese Chriss and Brandon Knight to the proposal. But as we’re feeling the aftershocks of an earth-shattering trade between the T-Wolves and Philadelphia 76ers, there’s more to that story.

According to Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, the Houston Rockets modified their offer to include

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Eric Gordon, Nene Hilario and two first-round picks in the deal. Although there was no indication what kind of protections the T-Wolves would’ve gotten on those picks, it goes to show that Morey swung for the fences, which is all we can ask for.

If I were the T-Wolves, I would’ve jumped all over it because of Gordon’s immediate impact on both ends of the court, Nene’s solid contribution off their bench and the cushioning for their future. It was a nice, hybrid blend ensuring that their present was taken care of as well as moving forward.

Instead Tom Thibodeau, head coach and president of the team along with owner Glen Taylor accepted a package of Robert Covington, Dario Saric and a future second-round pick. That certainly doesn’t move the needle like the Houston Rockets‘ proposal does.

So ultimately, what the T-Wolves felt is not only they didn’t want Butler traded within the West, they did not want to deal with the Houston Rockets whatsoever because looking at both trades, I don’t understand how one would feel that the one the T-Wolves accepted was a better one.

Oh well — this team press on and think they’ll get their act together but it’s hard not to reflect on what could’ve been if this team would’ve been able to bring Butler into the fold.

Next. Three players to see their role increase with Melo's departure. dark

Butler netted 14 points, four rebounds and two assists while getting the start at shooting guard in his debut with the Sixers last night. The Sixers were edged by the Orlando Magic, 111-106.

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