The Houston Rockets have reportedly been eliminated from a possible trade for Jimmy Butler due to reservations from the Minnesota Timberwolves on turning them into another Western Conference juggernaut like the Warriors.

Butler is a native of the Houston area.

“We already are at [that level],” Tilman Fertitta says in a phone call. “We’re an improved team over last year based on who we’ve acquired this offseason. And last year, obviously, we’re a game away from the Finals.

“We would love to see Jimmy come home to Houston. It’s not a financial decision, it’s an assets decision on our part. We’ve got a great basketball team. We think we’re as good as anybody in the league. We’re not going to give up unreasonable assets, to break up this team, to get Jimmy Butler. But we would love to have him.”

Fertitta purchased the Rockets a year ago.