Report: League executives questioned Rockets GM Daryl Morey’s pursuit of Jimmy Butler in free agency

Rival executives and scouts were puzzled to learn of Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey’s desire to add Jimmy Butler to an already caustic dynamic between Chris Paul and James Harden, noting they virtually “dodged a bullet” after the All-Star chose to sign with the Miami Heat, according to ESPN.

Considering that Butler would have been a distant second option to Harden, maybe even a third behind Paul, the four-time All-Star would have only added to the combustion that has already taken place in the locker room after four of their last five playoff exits have come at the hands of the Golden State Warriors.

Butler’s temperament, competitive fire and pursuit of constant hustle, even in practice, would have been a douse of kerosene on an already flammable situation in Clutch City:

“He’s not exactly a calming influence,” a league source said of Butler.

Looking at the situation merely from a basketball perspective, scouts and executives questioned the logic of the Rockets’ pursuit of Butler, as he would have been another puzzling fit because he’s not known for his 3-point shooting.

Scouts believe center Clint Capela and his team-friendly contract along with shooting guard Eric Gordon have proven themselves as the right fits for this roster, and the potential of dumping them all (along with PJ Tucker) would have been steps taken in the wrong direction for a franchise direly looking for answers after getting hit with repeated failures.

Of course, the Rockets didn’t acquire Jimmy Butler, as he’s now going to the Miami Heat.

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