Minnesota Timberwolves: 2 huge Jimmy Butler trades to Houston Rockets

Reports illustrate that a potential Houston Rockets trade could lead to a huge haul for the Minnesota Timberwolves 4-time All-Star Jimmy Butler.

Well, after all this drama, we may be seeing Minnesota Timberwolves‘ Jimmy Butler go to the Houston Rockets for a huge haul.

It all started almost two weeks ago when the Miami Heat’s Pat Riley all-but dropped out of the trade conversation for Butler when getting frustrated over Wolves’ head coach Tom Thibodeau’s demands.

Then after the Heat and Wolves fell out of their discussion, Stefano Fusaro of ESPN reported that Houston immediately called Thibs:

"Via, ESPN Reporter Stefano Fusaro (Twitter) “Jimmy Butler update: According to a league source, The Wolves contacted the Rockets again Tuesday morning, after their failed deal with Miami this past weekend. Minnesota was still adamant on receiving Eric Gordon and PJ Tucker, but Houston will not put Tucker on the table.”"

Obviously Daryl Morey of the Houston Rockets believes they are one piece away from beating the Golden State Warriors, so he’s going all-in.

And while that Eric Gordon and P.J. Tucker deal seemed like a good haul at the time, another ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski illustrates a new blockbuster potential deal with Houston here:

"Via, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN Houston’s push represents a desire to sacrifice some long-term roster flexibility and go all-in with a legitimate third star to partner with All-NBA guards James Harden and Chris Paul in pursuit of a championship. The Rockets’ offer constitutes the maximum number of first-round picks allowable in a deal, factoring in league rules that necessitate no first-rounders can be conveyed in successive years, and no pick can be traded farther out than seven seasons. The lottery protections on picks in this proposed deal would be limited.Discussions on the players involved in the Minnesota-Houston talks remain fluid, league sources said. So far, Minnesota has been unmoved on offers for Butler, who requested a trade in the preseason and has told the organization that he plans to leave in free agency this summer. The Rockets would be trading for Butler with a strong desire to re-sign him this summer to a long-term contract extension. Butler, 29, plans to become an unrestricted free agent."

Wow, four future first-round draft picks is insane, a lot like the trade that crumbled the Brooklyn Nets when they acquired Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.

Of course, those picks are most likely protected, but it’s still very interesting and intriguing enough to sign a deal by the end of the night – if true.

We have a two ideas of how to make this work and then we’ll go from there – but before we do, it’s important to note that Morey will only sign this deal if he gets some kind of confirmation that Butler intends to re-sign with the Rockets.

And while Jimmy didn’t name Houston and a potential landing spot, playing with the current-MVP and future hall of famer Chris Paul seems very appetizing and verbally committing to Morey over an extension may be what gets this deal done.

Our first trade will include a lot of draft picks, per the story above – and all have gone through the ESPN trade machine legally.