The NBA couldn't block that trade. NBA only blocked the CP3 deal years ago because the Pelicans were in receivership (league owned the team).
To everyone that want to gives up Gordon for Butler, its close to a side move. I dont think many people understand how important Gordon is to this team and the way it plays. Gordon is the true spacer of the team with his quick release and his range. He opens things up for Harden and CP. Gordon actually outplayed Klay for a good portion of the series. We will be getting a better defensive piece in Butler but we will take just as big of a hit on offense. We need Gordon + Butler.
He couldn't even turn Ryno into a over the hill Melo. You think he can get a in his prime star for one of the worst contract in the league? LOL.
Anderson blocked Melo, Lebron and now any other free agents. I truly think Lebron would be here if we had dumped Anderson somehow for sign and trade.
Ideal unrealistic scenario, some how we trade Anderson, onslaught of draft picks, foreign assets, some of our young guys and our boy money considerations for Jimmy Butler. We then resign capela, once melo is bought out we sign him to a vets min. We have a main starting 5 roster and 8 man rotation of Paul - Gordon Harden - Gordon - Green Butler - Melo Melo or Tucker Capela In a perfect world
When your draft picks are going to be worth less than toilet paper, and your foreign stash players either suck or don't want to come to the NBA, that really limits your options as far as trading for stars.
Without Jimmy's assurance to re-sign, his value is actually lower. I have faith the system, players, FO and culture can convince him to stay. No assurances is actually in Houston's favor.
I have the GOAT scenario. Gordon, Aaron Jackson, Onuaku, and a future 1st rounder for Butler. Why? Butler wants out, forces his way to a contender, and maybe his hatred of Houston rumor isn't true. Says he'll only sign an extension with Houston - probably the biggest domino we need to fall. Celtics aren't a contender as they wouldn't even give assets for Kawhi, passed on Butler before, and they'd have no reassurance of him re-signing there. Lakers aren't winning, and they want to save their assets/cap space for a run in 2019 at KD, Kawhi, etc... Philly has assets but they're also trying for Kawhi. Then you trade Ryno, a future 1st rounder and 2nd rounder for Bazemore. Sign Luc for the non-bird rights minimum. Use the MLE to get Melton on a 3 year deal to get his bird rights. Use the rest of the MLE to sign Ellington or a backup big man. Re-sign Clint. Win a ring. CP3/Gordon/MCW Harden/(Ellington)/Green/Melton Butler/Bazemore PJ/Luc Capela/(MLE big man if not Ellington)/Brendan Wright for the vet's minimum
On the NBA network they were just saying that Butler and Kyrie have been talking about playing with each other.
