The recent spate of NBA trade rumors has involved Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls. If he is actually available again, the Lakers could be interested.
Multiple reports from different outlets have named included Butler despite the Bulls' front office continued denials. It should be recalled that the Bulls also denied the Derrick Rose trade talks but it eventually happened.
The Bulls actually explored trading Butler to the Lakers before as mentioned by Gary Woelfel in his Press Box feature.
"And that's why some NBA officials contend Bulls star Jimmy Butler could be on his way out of the Windy City as well. Some believe the Bulls are quite intrigued about possibly obtaining the Lakers' No. 2 pick for Butler," Woelfel wrote. That no.2 pick is now (and always has been) Brandon Ingram.
The report from Fox Sports had Butler being traded to the Sacramento Kings. There were also rumors about interest from the Atlanta Hawks with Paul Millsap being the one sent in return.
Steve Rosenbloom of the Chicago Tribune had already declared that the Bulls' front office is not a reliable source.
"The latest report -- or at least the latest I saw -- came from ESPN's Zach Lowe, who cited sources claiming Butler is off the trade market. None of that feverish draft night talk of a deal with the Magic, Celtics or Thibowolves."
Rosenbloom contended: "To which I would confidently opine: maybe, maybe not. This is not aimed at Lowe's reporting. This targets Bulls management wonks because with those guys you never know because they never know. Truth is fluid, if it exists at all with them. It doesn't matter whether one of Lowe's sources is interim Bulls GM Gar Forman. Especially if one of Lowe's sources is Forman."
Butler would not be shopped but later in the season, if the chemistry between the Bulls' three "alphas" does not pan out, Butler is the player who would bring back the best return.
For the Lakers, if they do have a chance to get Butler, the price would most likely be Brandon Ingram, a good fit for Hoiball. Also, a player like a power forward like Julius Randle who has playmaking and passing skills are probably part of the package.
The Lakers will then get a solid two-way superstar in Butler who could play both guard and small forward positions. Butler's presence could give the Lakers a chance at the 2017 free agents and they still have the backcourt pair of D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson.