Also with an eighth-place record in the East, last season's Heat couldn't replicate last year's Black Eight Miracle and didn't go far in the playoffs. Butler, who is also out due to injury, averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5 assists and 1.3 steals per game during the regular season last season, shooting 49.9% from the field and 41.4% from three-point range, setting a new career high for three-point shooting.
Although he is still extremely strong at the moment, Butler is slowly entering the late stage of his prime, after all, he is 34 years old. Judging from his previous contract, Butler only had two seasons left on his contract with the Heat, but management did not offer him an early contract extension with a maximum salary. According to previous reports, the superstar will not sign a contract extension with the Heat, and he also courted the Lakers and admitted how good the purple and gold look; Such remarks are naturally intended to attract discussion and attention from the media, and build momentum for themselves to get an early contract extension with a maximum salary.
So, Eddie ·, a reporter for the United States media Fadeaway World, offered the Lakers a 5-for-1 exchange with 4 players with 1 first-round pick as a bargaining chip to offer Jimmy Butler, and the specific transaction content is as follows:
Los Angeles Lakers get: Jimmy Butler;
Miami Heat gets: D'Angelo Russell, Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood Schifino, 2029 first-round pick;
For the Heat, since he has not completed an early contract extension with Butler, and he has shown favor to the Lakers; And now that he is slowly entering the middle and late stages of his career, if he continues to play with the team, he is likely to choose to leave after reinstating his status as a free agent like George, leaving the Heat with nothing. Instead, try this one-for-five trade and get four players back to improve the team's roster, as well as get a first-round pick in '29, which can be used as a bargaining chip for future rebuilds.
Although there is no Butler, these four players can improve the offensive and defensive capabilities of the perimeter, plus the shooter Herro and the interior core Adebayo in the lineup, the Heat can also impact the playoffs.
For the Lakers, James and Davis are still in their prime, with 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 24.7 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks respectively last season.
If they can get Butler, a top-tier forward with a balanced offense and defense, the Lakers will have the third consistent scoring point and will not be able to continue their offensive firepower when they compete with their opponents again. Of course, after sending away Russell, the outside point guard, the Lakers' starting point guard will be Reaves Jr., the offensive and defensive strength of the lineup will be improved, and there will not be too many holes on the outside for opponents to target.