NBA Trades: 6 teams that could lure Jimmy Butler away from the Heat next summer

Los Angeles Lakers

Although the Los Angeles Lakers have been quiet all summer, they may be more active during the season and next summer. If Butler were to hit unrestricted free agency next season, he would probably prefer to play for a contender, and the Lakers would likely try to maneuver to acquire him.

Even if LeBron James were to retire next summer, they wouldn't have a max-cap space. Nevertheless, the Lakers might be able to work out a sign and trade involving Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, Jalen Hood-Schfino, and a first-round pick. That would, of course, be contingent on whether the Heat would be interested in that package.

Vanderbilt and Hachimura are both interesting players, Vincent was Miami's starting point guard on their trip to the 2023 NBA Finals, and Hood-Schfino was a recent first-round selection, plus they'd get a first for their trouble.

Miami is likely to take a step back without Butler, so trying to get as much as they can for him makes sense. If they opt against trading him during the season, then that might be an attractive sign and trade offer, with some of those players having re-trade value and the Heat needing to restock their draft stockpile.

A potential big three of Butler, LeBron, and Davis would perfectly build for a playoff run, though Los Angeles would have to retool their roster around that group to get them there.