NBA Rumors: Rockets viewed as a potential landing spot for a Houston-born star

The up-and-coming Houston Rockets have one of the best young players in the NBA but are still a piece or two away from playoff contention. They have taken steps to get back to respectability, including extending Jalen Green and Alperin Sengun, thus locking up their two best players for at least the next couple of seasons. 

They also opened the door to potentially trading Green for a star, though he has all-star potential as well. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Rockets are a team to watch in the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes. 

After all, the Rockets have the trade assets needed to acquire him and Butler isn't under contract for next season. Better still for Houston; he doesn't plan on signing an extension with the Miami Heat before then. He is also from Houston and, given their young core, the Rockets might be an attractive landing spot for him if he were to leave Miami.

NBA Rumors: The Houston Rockets are considered a top landing spot for Jimmy Butler.

If the Heat struggle to keep up in the tough Eastern Conference, then they may consider trading Butler and punting on the season. In that case, Houston would still be a top potential landing spot since they have enough tradable contracts and picks needed to put together a strong offer. 

They wouldn't even have to touch their core to be able to make a competitive offer to the Heat. One potential trade package could have them sending Dillon Brooks, Steven Adams, Jock Landale, and two first-round picks.

That would allow the Rockets to pair Fred Van Vleet, Green, Jabari Smith, and Sengun with Butler and dramatically improve their chances of making the playoffs this season. Although Butler is 35 years old and wants a big extension, he is also nearing the end of his career and might be willing to take less to play for his hometown to close out his career.

If that were the case, then Houston makes sense with Butler serving as a valuable veteran with plenty of playoff experience. He could help their young core take the next step quickly. Much like how Houston's rival, the San Antonio Spurs, acquired future Hall of Famer Chris Paul to help speed up their rebuild.

The Rockets should look to do the same if Butler becomes available and they have plenty of assets to be able to get a potential deal done.