Many imagined what it could’ve been with Jalen Green in the Miami Heat jersey. The speculations emerged after reports of a possible trade between the Heat and the Houston Rockets. The trade would’ve landed Jimmy Butler in Houston, sending Green to Miami. While the reports regarding a potential trade still exist, NBA champion Trevor Ariza reacted to the possibilities in a recent episode of All The Smoke podcast.

Matt Barnes asked Ariza if he would give up Green from the Rockets in exchange for Butler. The ex-NBA star agreed he would, but only because the trade benefits the 22-year-old as well. Barnes first, however, agreed that the Pat Riley and Eric Spoelstra system could be the best thing to happen for Jalen Green.

“Especially because they have a program that they’ve been running for before he was born… So him going into what they do, I think it matches perfectly… You know, the Heat culture and what they have and his talent matched together, it would send his game and his career into a completely different stratosphere,” Ariza added to Barnes’ opinion.

Notably, just as the rumors were heating up earlier, Houston chose to lock down Green with a 3-year extension. But, as always, the full picture of the contract details is a bit more nuanced, as reported by Sir Charles In Charge. Rather than the usual four-year max extension, the Rockets deal is actually a three-year contract with a player option for the third season.

This structure gives Green a pathway to unrestricted free agency sooner if he chooses. This could make the deal all the more intriguing. And let’s face it—from a trade perspective, the setup is pretty ideal because the Rockets have also made a smart play here. By extending Green, they sidestepped the complications of restricted free agency next summer without committing to a full max contract just yet. Seemingly, a win-win for both sides.

So, where does that leave Green’s potential Miami stint? Well, it mostly depends upon how the 22-year-old’s run through season 2024-25 goes with the Rockets.

Earlier reports trade possibilities, sending Jalen Green to the Heat for Jimmy Butler

Back in June, a juicy trade rumor lit up the NBA scene, hinting that the Houston Rockets might offer the Miami Heat a game-changing deal. Imagine this—Houston would have sent Green, Dillon Brooks, and their valuable No. 3 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft to Miami. And in return, the Rockets would land Butler along with the No. 15 pick.

According to Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report, this trade could’ve done more than just shake up the league. It could’ve set both teams on powerful new paths. Why would Miami have even considered it, you ask? Well, Hughes suggested that the Heat’s reluctance to lock Butler into a long-term extension could’ve made them open to such a tempting haul.

Moreover, aside from Green, Brooks’ gritty defensive style could’ve fit right into the Heat Culture. Plus a No. 3 pick to bring in fresh talent. Meanwhile, for the Rockets, adding Jimmy Butler would’ve given their youthful roster a dose of serious experience.

Thus, potentially making Houston a force to watch in the West. It was a trade that could have marked the end of the Butler era in Miami. And sparked something big in Houston. While so far it remains a wonder of possibilities, it’s to be seen if the future brings some extent of reality to it. And how true do the predictions by Trevor Ariza on All The Smoke stand?