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Los Angeles Lakers: Why adding Jimmy Butler is better than you think

By Jason Reed

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 09: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on in the second half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 09, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 09: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on in the second half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on January 09, 2019 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. The Los Angeles Lakers don’t have to sign him this summer

That might sound counterproductive but the Los Angeles Lakers could realistically get Jimmy Butler this summer without signing him to a contract. The trick lies in what Chris Paul did with the Los Angeles Clippers two summers ago.

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Butler has a player option in his contract that many assume he will opt out of in order to get the big payday. However, because of his reduced value, he might realize that he will not yet get that big contract. So instead of signing a long-term deal for less money than he is worth, he can opt back into the contract and prove his worth.

However, if he wants out of Philly then he needs to orchestrate a sign and trade, letting the Sixers know that he will only opt back in if he gets traded to the team of his choice, which in this case, is the Lakers.

The Sixers should be inclined to do this because it would allow the team to get something instead of nothing for Butler, especially if they know they would lose him regardless.

Since it is just one year of Butler and he could just opt out and the Lakers could sign him, the Sixers won’t get a massive return. Sending the Lakers’ 2019 first-round pick alongside Josh Hart and Isaac Bonga would more than be enough for Butler.

So why should the Lakers want to do this? First of all, it allows the team to have enough cap to actually build some bench depth around their current core.

Next. Free agents that can help defensively. dark

Second of all, in trading for him, the Lakers would be taking over his Bird Rights. That means that if the team wanted to sign Anthony Davis the next offseason they could. The team could sign Davis and then re-sign Butler, using the Bird Rights, to go over the salary cap.

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