Heat's Jimmy Butler's Epic Playoff Performance Triggers Rockets What-If Scenario
HOUSTON — Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler put on one of the greatest playoff performances in league history.
Butler led the Heat to a 119-114 Game 4 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks Monday night inside the Kaseya Center. He scored a playoff-career-best 56 points (19-28 FG, 3-8 3PT) in the win — setting a franchise record for most points in a playoff game and the fourth most in league history.
His play against the Bucks was the latest example of "Playoff Jimmy" that has come to fruition since he arrived in Miami during the summer of 2019. But each time the Tomball native has an epic postseason performance for the Heat, it brings up a continuous what-if scenario for the Houston Rockets.
Former general manager Daryl Morey went all-in on his attempt to land Butler when he hit free agency in 2019. The Rockets needed a third star to pair with James Harden and Chris Paul after being eliminated by the Golden State Warriors in back-to-back seasons.
Acquiring Butler would have given the Rockets a reliable scoring option on offense. But Butler's addition would have been more significant on the defensive side of the ball.
The Rockets wanted to pay Butler the four-year max contract. Since they did not have the cap space, Houston was willing to execute a sign-and-trade deal to send assets back to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Per ESPN, Houston was close to luring the Texas native back home, but Butler ghosted the Rockets before signing with the Heat. Butler's decision to take his talents to South Beach ended the Rockets' year-long pursuit of the two-way star.
Houston failed to acquire Butler in November of 2018 following his trade request from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
"The Rockets were ready to commit to full-time small ball if they could get Jimmy Butler last summer, ESPN's Tim MacMahon said. "A Butler sign-and-trade would have required Morey to perform some salary cap gymnastics, but he had trades lined up to move the eight-figure salaries of [Clint] Capela and Eric Gordon."
After missing out on Butler, the Rockets settled for a consolation prize by acquiring Russell Westbrook from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Three years later, it is clear that Houston would have extended their championship window had the franchise signed Butler in 2019.
Butler has since led the Heat to an NBA Finals appearance in 2020. His performance against the Bucks was the latest example of the six-time All-Star raising his game during the postseason. Butler is averaging 36.0 points on 62.8 percent shooting from the field, 52.9 percent shooting from deep, entering Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Quarter Finals.
The Rockets have since plummeted into basketball purgatory after missing out on Butler. A disappointing end to the 2019-20 campaign resulted in Houston starting a rebuild where the franchise has won 59 games over the last three seasons.
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