Could Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler be the player the Los Angeles Lakers are looking for this offseason? On a mission to add a third star alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis, expect the Lakers to search high and low for an addition.
In a suggested blockbuster trade from Stephen Noh of The Sporting News, a three-team deal with the Heat, Lakers and Detroit Pistons is put together. There are a lot of moving pieces, as the Lakers do not have cap space to absorb players and will need to send out matching salaries.
In the 2024-25 season, Jimmy Butler is set to earn $48,798,677. As a result, the Los Angeles Lakers need to send several players out to make the deal work. In Noh’s proposal, D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura and Gabe Vincent are on the move, along with all of their tradeable first-round picks.
Hachimura and Vincent, who started his career with the Heat, head to South Beach along with first-round picks in 2024, 2029 and 2031. Russell is sent to the Motor City, with two second-round picks, one from the New York Knicks and another from the Pistons, also going to Miami.
While the deal would be legal, it is hard to envision the Heat accepting such an offer for their best player. The relationship between Jimmy Butler and the team could be strained after some comments from Pat Riley, but they would expect a stronger package in return.
The Los Angeles Lakers would love to add a player of Butler’s caliber, as he is a proven producer in the postseason. He is an excellent defender, giving the Lakers someone who can shut down opponents on the perimeter with Davis patrolling the paint.
As for the Pistons, getting a veteran with the 3-point shooting ability of Russell would be worth the two second-round picks. He would help the development of younger players such as Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, making their lives easier with his shooting and playmaking skills.
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