Jimmy Butler guarding Kobe Bryant (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Chicago Bulls could trade Jimmy Butler to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for rookie D'Angelo Russell as both players are at the center of a possible summer move after issues within their respective teams.
Butler has been linked to trade talks after the Bulls' rising star was rumored to have created a rift with head coach Fred Hoiberg. According to Chris Mannix of The Vertical, the Bulls could be heading to a full rebuild this summer, with Butler as one of the main pieces in a potential deal over some chemistry issues within the team.
Mannix noted in his piece that the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic could be one of the possible destinations for Butler if the Bulls decide to trade him. Butler could be the superstar Boston have been longing for, while the Magic could offer the Marquette product a chance to lead the team's core of young players.
However, Sports Illustrated's Fansided writer Jason Parker view Butler as an intriguing fit for the Lakers as a possible replacement to retiring Laker superstar Kobe Bryant. Parker, who listed the Lakers among other possible teams that should trade for Butler, noted that the Purple and Gold could package D'Angelo Russell in a trade for the 26-year-old shooting guard.
"Jimmy Butler has become a star in one of the biggest cities in the NBA, so he wouldn't be shocked by the bright lights of La-La land," Parker wrote.
"Going from the shadows of Michael Jordan to the shadows of Kobe, Shaq and Magic would be just a lateral move, so don't be surprised if the Lakers become more of a player in getting Butler to come to town both as a star on his own or as a piece of the puzzle with some free agents."
Russell has reportedly created trust issues within the Lakers team after privately recording a conversation with teammate Nick Young. While it is unlikely the Lakers would trade Russell for his actions, the 2015 second overall draft pick's recent drama may hurt LA's chances of attracting top free agents this summer.
By trading Russell, the Lakers would have a chance to acquire a proven star and a major piece in the franchise's bid to return atop the NBA power rankings.
However, Butler seems adamant in staying with the Bulls long-term despite potentially failing to make the playoffs this year.
"I don't plan on going anywhere. I can't control what everybody else does," Butler said, reports ESPN.
"I know that this is the city that I love, Chicago. And I want to wear that jersey. I want to wear that name on the front, and I wear it proudly. All I got to do is continue to control what I can control. That's try to help this team win games."
Butler is only in the first year of his five-year $92.3 million contract with the Bulls, making such a trade proposal complicated.
But the Lakers are in pole position for this summer to offer one or two max contracts, thanks to the NBA's new TV deal. Moreover, the Lakers are known as big spenders and they are certainly not afraid to absorb a massive contract if it would mean keeping one of the talented shooting guards in the league.
