The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be one of the more active buyers leading into the Feb. 6 trade deadline, but they will not be “heavily” targeting All-Stars like Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram, or Zach LaVine.
NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Are Unwilling To Go All-In For Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram, Or Zach LaVine
According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the Lakers aren’t expected to go all-in in their pursuit for Butler, Ingram, and LaVine. Buha cited Jonas Valanciunas, Cam Johnson, and Dorian Finney-Smith as more realistic trade targets for the Lakers.
Valanciunas, Johnson, and Finney-Smith have more team-friendly contracts compared to stars like Butler or LaVine. Valanciunas is in the first season of his three-year, $30.29 million deal via a sign-and-trade agreement with the Washington Wizards.
Meanwhile, Johnson is in the second season of a four-year, $94.5 million contract with the Brooklyn Nets. His contract includes $18 million in total incentives and runs through 2026-27.
Then there’s Finney-Smith, who’s in the third season of the four-year, $55.56 million contract extension that he signed with the Dallas Mavericks in February 2022.
Lakers Are More Likely To Acquire Dorian Finney-Smith?
More importantly, Los Angeles’ cap situation makes any superstar trade difficult to navigate without a third team involved. For that reason, all three players are more reasonable trade candidates for the Lakers.
And of the three, maybe Finney-Smith is the one. In November, ClutchPoints’ Anthony F. Irwin said the Lakers “checked in on Finney-Smith” last season and have been in “constant contact” with the Nets about him this season.
Since the Lakers are not trading either LeBron James or Anthony Davis, keeping the core intact around their veteran duo is their top priority. At the moment, Los Angeles is a mediocre team on both sides of the ball, with the offense (15th) and defense (22nd) ranking in the bottom half of the league.
Offensively, the Lakers are not where they should be. Los Angeles is 11th in field goal percentage (47.1%), 25th in 3-pointers (301), 20th in 3-point percentage (34.7%), and 27th in total rebounds per game (40.9).
Miami Heat Could Ride Out The Season With Jimmy Butler
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Dec. 10 that the Miami Heat would consider trading the six-time All-Star for the right offer. Multiple first-round draft picks, role players, and/or a veteran superstar come to mind.
Charania also noted in a separate report that Butler’s preferred list of trade destinations includes the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, and Phoenix Suns.
However, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst said recently on The Hoop Collective that Butler has made it known to the league that he intends to test free agency regardless of a potential trade.
“[Butler] has got a player option in his contract for $52 million next year,” Windhorst said. “He has made it known to the league, he intends to not pick that up. His position is that no matter what happens, he is going to be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2025.”
Purple And Gold Can Make It Work With Brandon Ingram
Another established variable in a Butler trade is Miami’s recent success on the court as of late. The Heat have won four straight games to improve their record to 13-10 and fifth in the Eastern Conference standings.
Of the Lakers’ three unlikely trade options, the team has the best odds of landing Ingram.
Ingram was traded from the Lakers to the New Orleans Pelicans in the Anthony Davis trade. He is earning $36 million this season in the final year of his four-year, $158.2 million contract.
LaVine is out of the question considering he’s earning $43 million this season, $46 million in 2025-26, and has a $49 million player option for 2026-27. His deal also includes a 15% trade bonus.
