The Houston Rockets recently offered trading Chris Paul into the cap space of the New York Knicks, but the Knicks declined.

If the Rockets were able to trade Paul without taking back salary, they would be a trade of Clint Capela or Eric Gordon away from freeing up enough cap space to sign Jimmy Butler. League sources say the Rockets plan on pursuing Butler.

The Rockets made a trade offer to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Butler last season.