Lakers Rumors: Ranking the best targets during the 2019 offseason

3. Jimmy Butler

Hot take alert: Yes, I think Jimmy Butler is a better piece to build a franchise around than Klay Thompson. Despite butting heads with other stars (if that is what you want to call Dwayne Wade and Rajon Rondo) on the Chicago Bulls, Butler, at least in my eyes, should be a bigger priority than Klay Thompson.

Butler’s skill set is just more suited to lead a team than Thompson’s. The scoring is around the same for both men, with Butler actually averaging 1.8 more points per game than Thompson while taking 15.6 shots per game. Thompson is taking 16.1 shots per game.

Butler’s ability to get to the free throw line, evident by his seven free throw attempts per game, would give the Lakers much more versatility than Thompson. In Thompson, you know you are getting a catch and shoot specialist. While he is very good at what he does, it is proven that he succeeds around other players similar to him.

If he is the only catch and shoot option on the Lakers, Thompson suddenly becomes easier to defend. Butler, on the other hand, is better at driving to the lane, creating contact and getting to the charity stripe. Plus, his 47.6 field goal percentage is not too shabby, either.

Not to mention that Butler is one of the best defenders in the league. While Thompson is not a bad defender, he is not on the level that Butler is.

Simply put, Jimmy Butler is a better guy to build your franchise around. With previous ties to the Lakers, he should be a priority in 2019. Is that really much of a hot take after all?