Lakers Rumors: Possible draft day trades for the Lakers
By Jason Reed
Jimmy Butler is a name that has been tied to the latest Lakers rumors, and in these deal, we see him head to Los Angeles. If Nick Young accepts his player option, becoming a free agent, then the Lakers would be able to afford Butler’s contract. If not, the Lakers would have to send Young alongside Clarkson in return for Butler.
After trying to form their own big three of Dwayne Wade, Jimmy Butler, and Rajon Rondo the Bulls may be looking to enter rebuilding mode. Wade has a player option, and after the headache that was last season may be looking elsewhere. It has even been speculated that Wade could take a pay cut and rejoin Lebron James in Cleveland, obviously taking a much lesser role.
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With Rajon Rondo becoming a free agent, this leaves only Butler standing of the trio. We may have already seen signs of this rebuild in the Thunder trade that sent away Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott.
Sending Butler to the Lakers may be the best case scenario if the Bulls did opt to part ways. Butler could play shooting guard for the Lakers, and the Bulls would be getting a high draft pick in such a deep draft class.
Add in Jordan Clarkson, and now the Bulls look good as they would have the second overall pick, Clarkson, and the 17th overall pick to rebuild around.
The Lakers may be missing out on a player like Lonzo Ball, but they do still have the 28th pick to play with and get an already established superstar. If Los Angeles is not sold on any of the young guards, this may be the best route.
Next: Building the perfect super team for the Lakers
Overall, the Lakers rumors will continue to swirl until we see what exactly the Lakers do in the draft. Until then, expect to here much more speculation.