Jimmy Butler and DeMarcus Cousins (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The LA Lakers have endured the worst years in franchise history. Now they have built a young core that could be their building blocks for the future.
It's a very solid plan that is the usual foundation of eventual league powerhouses like the Oklahoma City Thunder or Golden State Warriors. Those team's "Big Three" players were all taken via the Draft.
Not all lottery picks are created equal and the Lakers' potential remains to be seen. Still, prospects like D'Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson have piqued the interest of other teams.
This is the basis for a recent article on Hoops Habit where writer Gil Alcaraz stated enumerated possible big name targets for the Tinseltown team. One of the targets he named was Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls.
Butler could become the new face of the franchise and Alcaraz believes that Clarkson is the key to acquire him as he claims that the Chicago Bulls have definite interest.
"It also happens that the Lakers have a couple of exciting young guards of their own who could pique the Bulls' interest. Los Angeles may not be willing to part with Russell, but Jordan Clarkson could be an option if Chicago sees enough upside in the former second-round pick," Alcaraz said.
However, Butler may actually be outshined as the franchise player if the Lakers pull off another trade that Alcaraz proposed. If Clarkson is the bait for Butler, that means D'Angelo Russell is still available.
It's no secret that the Kings have always been pining for D'Angelo Russell, as reported by Silver Screen and Roll during the draft when they declared that "the Kings have been pushing hard to land the former No. 2 pick in the week leading to the 2016 NBA Draft."
Along with the Kings' recent moves at the 2016 NBA Draft (picking two centers), it's clear that they are getting ready for the possibility that Cousins could bolt via free agency in 2018. Why not salvage the point guard of their dreams before they lose their franchise player?
Cousins would easily become the next important Lakers' big man, something the Lakers definitely need. "If this team is going to contend in the near future, they need a dominant big man who can lock down the key," Alcaraz wrote.
The Lakers would most likely need to pair D'Angelo Russell with Julius Randle or other picks to seal the deal. They may need to throw in most future assets to get both Butler and Cousins, but it's theoretically possible.
This is purely speculation by the Hoops Habit writer but who knows what the Kings' and Bulls' records will be at the trade deadline. That could spark the trade talk and the Lakers could take advantage.
