Blockbuster Trade Proposal Sends Heat Star Jimmy Butler To Lakers

One NBA writer proposed that the Los Angeles Lakers acquire Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat this offseason. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Lakers and Heat: 

The trade: The Los Angeles Lakers trade Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2029 first-round pick and 2031 first-round pick to the Miami Heat for Jimmy Butler and Thomas Bryant

Butler averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 60 games for the Heat this season while shooting 49.9% from the field, 41.4% from beyond the arc and 85.8% from the free-throw line. He’ll make $48.8 million next season.

One of the top players in the NBA, Butler is extension-eligible this offseason. The forward could request a trade if the Heat don’t sign him to a max extension. 

“The Lakers’ third-star search could take them a number of different directions, but what about toward South Beach and their biggest adversary in the 2020 Finals? Sure, the Heat say Butler isn’t available, and most analysts don’t think he is, but if extension negotiations get awkward—as they already kind of did—things could change in a hurry,” Buckley wrote. “L.A. should have an all-in offer at the ready just in case.

“Butler wouldn’t help with the Lakers’ shooting shortage, but he’d enhance their offensive menu as a scorer, creator and downhill attacker. His toughness and defensive versatility would be welcome additions to this team, and his experience should allow for a smooth transition to the locker room.

“This trade price is steep, but this could be a transformational swap, so it should be. If L.A. wants more than an honorable mention in championship talks, it might require a bold blockbuster like this to make it happen. To get this deal done, the Lakers would have to duck below the first apron, which could happen by either D’Angelo Russell declining his $18.7 million player option and exiting or LeBron James returning at something less than his max salary.”

Butler has a player option worth $52.4 million for the 2025-26 season. He turns 35 in September.

A Marquette product, Butler has career averages of 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia Sixers and Heat. He’s made six All-Star teams, five All-NBA teams and five All-Defensive teams.

The Lakers are expected to hire JJ Redick as their new head coach. Redick and Butler were teammates on the Sixers in 2018-19. 

Los Angeles would have a “Big 3” of LeBron, Butler and Anthony Davis if the Lakers’ front office figured out a way to acquire Butler from the Heat. 

LeBron can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason by declining his 2024-25 player option. The NBA legend is expected to remain with the Lakers.