Heat Part With Jimmy Butler In Proposed Blockbuster Trade For Lakers' Haul Of Assets

Dec 16, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Miami Heat forward Kevin Love (42) talks to forward Jimmy Butler (22) in the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Dec 16, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Miami Heat forward Kevin Love (42) talks to forward Jimmy Butler (22) in the second half against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The Miami Heat are willing to end their tenure with star Jimmy Butler if the right package presents itself at the trade deadline.

A plethora of championship contenders should make a run at acquiring the six-time All-Star in hopes he'll push them over the hump. Butler is more than capable of stepping up in the biggest moments, after leading the Heat to multiple NBA Finals appearances since 2020.

One organization in love with acquiring All-Stars is the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers need someone to complete their Big Thre next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and Butler could do just that.

Bleacher Report ironed out all of the details of how the Lakers could land Butler in a three-team blockbuster trade:

Detroit Pistons Receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino, Los Angeles Clippers' 2025 second-round pick (via Lakers)

Heat Receive: Rui Hachimura, D'Angelo Russell, Gabe Vincent, Toronto's 2025 second-round pick (top-55 protection, via Detroit), Lakers' 2029 first-round pick (top-four protection; turns into 2030 second if not conveyed), Lakers' 2031 first-round pick (top-five protection; turns into 2031 second-round pick if not conveyed)

Lakers Receive: Jimmy Butler

This is the best offer the Lakers can put forth, but it will simply not overpower a package from teams such as the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors. The dream of teaming Butler with James and Davis is highly unlikely unless the 35-year-old's market is much drier than anticipated.


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Anthony Pasciolla works as a contributing writer to Miami Heat On SI. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or follow him on X @AnthonyPasci.


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Anthony Pasciolla
ANTHONY PASCIOLLA

Anthony Pasciolla is a sports journalist who began covering the NBA in June 2023. A Philadelphia native, Anthony has experience covering the Philadelphia 76ers as a credentialed reporter. He has written for Miami Heat, Back In The Day Hoops, Kansas State Wildcats, and Illinois Fighting Illini on Sports Illustrated. His work also includes 76ers coverage for The Sporting News and previous stories for Athlon Sports and BasketballNews. When he’s not covering the NBA, you can find him spending time with friends and family or diving into the world of fantasy football. Follow him on X @AnthonyPasci or reach him via email at ampasciolla@gmail.com