Rockets Will Reportedly Pursue Jimmy Butler Via Sign and Trade With 76ers

Jimmy Butler's future with the Philadelphia 76ers has been in doubt since the moment Kawhi Leonard's buzzer-beating game-winner ended their season. With too many players to pay and not enough money to go around, the Sixers have a lot of decisions to make this upcoming offseason, and that could mean Butler's short time in Philly has come to a close.

According to Houston Rockets beat writer Ben DuBose, there is a very interesting scenario that could come to fruition once the free agency period begins in July.

The Rockets are hoping to recruit Jimmy Butler to sway the 76ers into making a sign-and-trade deal during free agency.

The NBA just might have its next super-team. The Rockets, who have been perennial contenders in the West since adding Chris Paul, have been just short of getting over the hump and defeating the Warriors each of the last two seasons.

Adding certified bucket-getter Jimmy Butler to a roster that already includes James Harden, Chris Paul (or, should I say, Chris Paul's obscene contract), and Clint Capela could spell trouble for a weakened Western Conference. Of course, Houston would need a sign-and-trade to make this possible, as they don't have the salary cap space to ink Butler to a deal in free agency.

Ideally, the 76ers would like to keep Butler, but if it comes to the point where they feel it's inevitable that he will be going elsewhere in free agency, they could perform a sign-and-trade and at least recoup some assets.

It will be exciting to see how this story plays out in one of the most stacked NBA free agent classes in recent memory.