Jimmy Butler has flown slightly under the radar with fellow forwards Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard grabbing most of the free-agency headlines.

However, Butler’s talents are among the best in the league and he will demand a max contract wherever he plays next season. A lengthy injury history and a polarizing nature are the concerns about the 29-year-old who forced his way off the Timberwolves last season after squabbling with teammates Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins.

Last season: With Butler, the 76ers got within one possession of ousting the eventual champion Raptors. Butler averaged a rock solid 18.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 55 games for Philadelphia. He put up similar numbers in the postseason.

Butler may not have the same ceiling that he once did with the Bulls, but was still a key piece in the 76ers’ success.

Even in the midst of a 51-win season, there were rumblings that there was some behind-the-scenes tension between Butler and coach Brett Brown over the offense.

Interested teams/rumors: It’s setting up as a two-team competition for Butler with the 76ers and Rockets showing significant interest.

The Rockets, according to ESPN.com, are pursuing a sign-and-trade with the 76ers that would allow Butler’s max contract to fit under the salary cap.

#NBATwitter is excitedly rubbing its collective palms over the possibility of Butler joining James Harden and Chris Paul in a potential powder keg of drama.

The Rockets are considering Butler their top target, though, as they desperately seek the right formula to take them from playoff contender to champion. The 76ers, seeing how close they were to beating Toronto, believe re-signing Butler is necessary.

The Heat have also shown interest in Butler, but they currently do not have the cap space to offer him the max contract and is seemingly running a distant third in this race.