Lakers rumors: LA should trade for Jimmy Butler, wait on Paul George
By Keith Rivas
The latest Lakers rumors look at what the Lakers need to do about their next superstar.
While waiting on someone from their young core to figure it out is nice, the Lakers know they need to start winning. Team president Magic Johnson is in a position to get Los Angeles back on track.
And with that responsibility comes a busy summer ahead of him.
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Stars such as Paul George and Jimmy Butler have had their name in the rumor mill before. How Butler fits with Chicago moving forward is uncertain, while Paul George’s time in Indiana might as well already be over.
Chicago could move Butler for the right price. One of the detriments of that deal, though, is that it’ll break up the young core of top draft picks and young talent.
But do the Lakers really care about that?
Paul George seems to be inching closer and closer to being a lock when he’s a free agent. Considering that it’s not going to be until 2018, that gives the Lakers some room to work.
The biggest reason they should be taking a hard look at Jimmy Butler is simple. If Butler can excel in a place that works around him better, doesn’t everyone win?
Chicago would then be able to rebuild in a sense, while the Lakers do what they can to move forward. Making the move for Butler would also show us something about this front office.
Over the last few summers, free agency hasn’t gone well for the Lakers. Stars have either been uninterested because of the rebuild and lack of superstar talent — or they just walked away from the table.
Neither case is what they should want or can afford right now.
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And Jimmy Butler could be their quick ticket to a playoff season as soon as possible.