Jimmy Butler A Future Laker?
By Chris Walton
The Los Angeles Lakers are on the cusp of consecutive absences from the NBA postseason, leaving the franchise one less chance to add to their 16 championships. Kobe Bryant also loses another year of solidifying his legacy with an elusive sixth title.
The team has plenty of questions regarding its personnel, as the Lakers have no true prospects outside of the trio of Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle, and Tarik Black. The team will need to be in full recruiting mode, quite different from last year, as they focused on pitching to LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.
Fans should be excited about this season’s upcoming free agency. It will likely begin the start of the team’s foundation, and bring back some competitive spark to the team.
With an estimated $27 million in spending power, the team is carefully looking for the right players to pair with some guy from Oklahoma City. Word on the street is that he is a pretty good scorer. To add him would definitely elevate the franchise, and that’s something that needs to happen quickly.
The biggest name to surface as a potential signing is the Chicago Bulls’ budding star, Jimmy Butler. USA TODAY Sports’ Sam Amick hinted at the Lakers’ interest:
"“A strong perimeter defender, Butler has blossomed into the Bulls’ best offensive player and an All-Star, averaging 20.6 points. Teams are going to offer a max deal (hello, Los Angeles Lakers), and the Bulls would be hard-pressed not to match.”"
Widely regarded as the NBA’s best individual defender, Butler has since turned into a reliable offensive threat. Butler has improved in nearly every category from 13.1 points to 22 points per game, jumping from 4.9 to 6.2 rebounds and just over three assists from two. His approach to the game is probably his most impressive feat. His added aggression has made him, arguably, the Bulls’ most important player on both ends of the court.
As for the Lakers, Butler will instantly become the team’s best player. At least in what seems to be his last season, Kobe Bryant will have one of his most reliable counterparts on the wing since Trevor Ariza showed flashes in the 2009 NBA Finals. This move could mean extending Bryant’s career, while attracting free agents in the coming years.
The Bulls offered an extension to Butler at the season’s start, but the 25-year-old took the correct path to hit the market. A player of his talents will demand a max contract, and a team like the Lakers should be at the forefront to honor the asking price.
The biggest roadblock to their pursuit is that Butler will be a restricted free agent, with Chicago looking to match any offers. Maybe the Lakers could take a page from the Houston Rockets book and pull off a “poison pill” deal.
So why would the Lakers toss the bank at Butler? Look no further than his relentless effort on the defensive end. Not many players in the league can be thrown on players from Steph Curry to LeBron James, while being effective. Butler may not be able to instantly improve the Lakers team defense, but having a wing of his caliber on that end is a start.
The team has no identity and what Butler can bring is grit and grind, something that could be contagious for teammates. Head coach Byron Scott could appreciate Butler’s throwback game of strength and physicality. The team has been searching for a player whose effort is not just reflected in the stat sheets, but all over the floor as well.