NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers surprising deadline plan, cryptic Butler - Heat update

Hello Hoops Heads! Here's the latest in NBA trade rumors.

NBA Trade Rumors: The Los Angeles Lakers won't pursue a star

The Los Angeles Lakers are generally seen as buyers every NBA trade season, with them often linked to many of the top trade candidates. However, according to the Athletic's Jovan Budha, they may not make a big trade this season.

Instead, they will look to make a smaller deal to try and improve their roster. This may come as a surprise. Nevertheless, considering their previous trade for Dorian Finney-Smith with the Brooklyn Nets, that and a smaller trade could combine to make a bigger impact for the Lakers.

That might cross some bigger names off their list, such as the Chicago Bulls' Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic, or New Orleans Pelicans star and former Laker Brandon Ingram.

On the other hand, they could target Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunus or Portland Trail Blazers big man Robert Williams instead. With their need for frontcourt help, either would be potentially cheap and valuable additions to the Lakers and help them get back into contention.

NBA Trade Rumors: A new twist in the Jimmy Butler-Miami Heat saga.

Rumors continue to swirl around Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler. It seems as though every hour there is a new report that contradicts the last about his future in Miami or elsewhere. One day, he is linked to the Golden State Warriors, and then the next, the Phoenix Suns, or perhaps the Heat, are unwilling to trade him.

Now come the latest rumors in the Butler saga. According to Jimmy Butler's teammate Kevin Love's Instagram post, it appears that Jimmy Butler isn't being traded this season.

If true, then it would be an odd turn of events after the Heat suspended him for seven games for his conduct. For him to appear to be on the outs with the organization only for everything to be all good seems unlikely.

But Butler liking Love's post seems to add some validity to a potential mending of fences between him and the franchise. That contradicts another report of him being willing to become more disruptive while on the Heat to force his way out. We'll have to see how this plays out between now and February 6th.