Rockets are finding the Heat is on for Butler
The Rockets on Saturday prepared their planned pursuit of free agent forward Jimmy Butler, but also learned how difficult landing their top target will be.
While the Rockets set up their meeting to deliver their recruiting pitch to Butler in Los Angeles, the Miami Heat lined up a meeting for Sunday in Miami while the Lakers and Nets, teams with cap room and incoming stars, also reached out.
In some ways, the competition could help the Rockets’ cause. With the Rockets, like the Heat, over the salary cap, they could not sign Butler without an agreement with the 76ers on a sign-andtrade. They need Butler, a fourtime All Star, to not only choose them but to also prefer a team with cap room to a return to the Sixers, giving Philadelphia incentive to make a deal.
The Sixers, who have prioritized keeping Butler, can offer Butler as much as $190 million over five seasons. The most the Rockets or any other team can offer is $141 million over four seasons.
The Rockets on Thursday lined up a variety of deals with teams to provide the Sixers with options of assets, including picks, from other teams, or a pair of their own starters, center Clint Capela and guard Eric Gordon.
With the possibility that they could be moving Capela, the Rockets arranged a meeting for Sunday with Warriors center Kevon Looney.
Looney is also expected to weigh a return to the Warriors, but the Rockets could use the help inside even if they do not land Butler, necessitating a deal to move Capela.
Backup center Nene on Saturday did not pick up the option on his three-year contracts signed in 2016, leaving the Rockets with no player off the bench from last postseason’s rotation under contract.
The only non-starters from last season’s playoff roster under contract with the Rockets are Isaiah Hartenstein, Gary Clark, Michael Frazier and Chris Chiozza, while every starter is under contract.
The Rockets on Saturday extended a qualifying offer to Danuel House, Jr., making him a restricted free agent. There is optimism they can reach agreement with reserve Gerald Green to return for a third season with the Rockets.
Nene played in 42 games last season, averaging a career-low 3.6 points and 2.93 rebounds in 13 minutes per game.
Hornets’ Walker may be heading to Boston
The last time Kemba Walker was playing for a team in New England, he delivered a championship. Boston fans can only hope that repeats itself.
A person with knowledge of the situation said Walker has told the Charlotte Hornets of his intention to sign with the Celtics once the NBA’s offseason moratorium on player movement ends July 6. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
Walker, who led UConn to an NCAA title eight years ago, can meet with the Celtics on Sunday after 6 p.m., and when he does he’ll likely agree on a $141 million, four-year deal — the most that Boston can offer. Charlotte could have offered Walker the so-called supermax deal of $221 million over five years.
Earlier this month, Walker said he would be willing to take less than the supermax figure to help Charlotte build a roster and said his “first priority” in free agency would be the Hornets. But amid reports that said the Hornets’ offer didn’t even reach $170 million, Walker clearly turned his attention elsewhere.
“I’m not saying that I’ll sign back with them. … If it doesn’t work out, I’m definitely prepared to play somewhere else,” Walker said earlier this month.
Report: Irving to Nets for 4 years, $141M
Kyrie Irving will meet with the Nets in Brooklyn once free agency begins Sunday evening, a source confirmed, and ESPN reported it’s with the intention of agreeing to a four-year, $141 million deal.
The move, if completed, will give the Nets a marquee name and elite talent, but also some baggage after a troubling last season with the Celtics. It’s Brooklyn’s hope to pair Irving with his good buddy Kevin Durant, who is weighing options on both coasts.
Irving grew up in West Orange, N.J., as a fan of the New Jersey Nets.
Pistons closing in on free-agent guard Rose
The Pistons “are emerging as the favorite” to sign Derrick Rose, The Athletic’s Frank Isola tweeted Saturday afternoon, according to a league source. Free-agent negotiations can begin 6 p.m., Sunday, and contracts can be officially signed July 6.
Rose shot a career high 37 percent from 3-point range in 51 games last season, averaging 18 points and 4.3 assists. ESPN reports “both sides motivated on finding a pathway to a two-year contract.”