Recent trade rumors point to Lakers landing $146 million Heat superstar
The Los Angeles Lakers, as always, have been one of the most frequent names to appear in
the annual roundup of NBA trade rumors. The Lakers are off to a solid 7-4 start but have
glaring weaknesses in the frontcourt behind Anthony Davis and on the perimeter, especially
on the defensive side of the ball.
Across the country, the Miami Heat have also been included in mock trades. Jimmy Butler
will likely opt out of his $146 million contract at the end of this season and test his value on
the open market. Instead of losing him for nothing, the Heat are expected to trade him before
the deadline.
The Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets and even Milwaukee Bucks have long been tied to
Butler, but a recent ranking of possible landing spots by The Dunk Central gives the Lakers
the second-best odds to land the six-time All-Star.
Butler, 35, is coming off a season where he only played in 60 games. However, he remained
one of the better defenders in the NBA and averaged 20.8 points on elite 41.4% shooting
from 3-point range. This season, he is off to a slow start, but a starting five in Los Angeles of
Austin Reaves, Cam Reddish, LeBron James, Butler and Davis would be elite, and Dalton
Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt, when healthy, could come off the bench.
The Lakers have up to five first-round draft picks to trade or swap, although they won’t have
to part with nearly all of them to land Butler. By sending out D’Angelo Russell, Gabe
Vincent, Rui Hachimura and Christian Wood, along with picks, the Lakers can give James
and Davis one last chance to win a ring with a new third star.