The Los Angeles Lakers received approval to acquire Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat ahead of the upcoming offseason.

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, a 2029 first-round pick and a 2031 first-round pick to the Miami Heat for Butler and Thomas Bryant.

 

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

 

Butler is extension-eligible this offseason. The forward could request a trade if the Heat don’t sign him to a max extension.

 

 

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 trying to fill their head-coaching vacancy, and JJ Redick is reportedly viewed as a front-runner to land the job. Redick and Butler were teammates on the Sixers in 2018-19.

 

Los Angeles would have a Big Three 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.