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Lakers Rumors: Jimmy Butler open to playing with LeBron James

By Kenneth Teape

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers has the ball against Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on January 8, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers has the ball against Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the game on January 8, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors involve Jimmy Butler, who is reportedly open to the idea of playing alongside LeBron James.

There were plenty of Los Angeles Lakers rumors this offseason. The Lakers were armed with a ton of cap space and a clear goal in mind to add some superstar level players to the roster. They accomplished that by signing LeBron James.

The organization was hoping to bring another star along with James, but it did not happen this offseason. They were hopeful that Paul George would follow James in free agency, but that didn’t happen. George re-signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In addition to George, the Lakers also did their due diligence with Kawhi Leonard. Alas, that did not work out, either. The San Antonio Spurs did not want to gift their best player to a conference rival. So, instead of giving Leonard what he wanted, the Spurs traded him, along with Danny Green, to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a first-round pick.

While a pursuit for a second superstar was not fruitful this offseason, Los Angeles will be players in free agency once again next offseason. Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka did an excellent job of keeping the books clean beyond this season, handing out all one-year deals outside of James’ long-term deal.

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Leonard will be a free agent next season and could be the target once again. Another player to keep an eye on is Jimmy Butler.

Butler has reportedly grown tired of the Minnesota Timberwolves. In July, it was reported by Bleacher Report that Butler was fed up with the way the Timberwolves went about their business. Budding star Karl-Anthony Towns was the person named in the report.

According to the same report, Butler’s future plans do not include the Timberwolves. He has a player option following the 2018-19 season and seems likely to decline the option to become a free agent.

There have been talks that Butler could look to team up with Kyrie Irving, another potential free agent in 2019. Recent reports, however, have Butler teaming up with another superstar. That superstar is LeBron James.

According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, a source close to Butler says that he is open to the idea of playing alongside James in Los Angeles. In all honesty, who wouldn’t be open to that possibility?

Butler would be an excellent complement to James. He is a great defender, taking pressure off James on that end of the court. His versatility on that end of the court would be excellent against teams such as the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets, two teams the Lakers are looking up to in the Western Conference.

The one thing to keep in mind with Butler is his mileage and usage. Players who have been coached by Tom Thibodeau during his Chicago Bulls tenure have not aged well. Luol Deng, Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose are a few names that come to mind.

Butler will be 30-years old when the 2019-20 season begins, the first he could be with a new team. He already has battled injuries as well, playing more than 67 games only once in the past five seasons, including only 59 last season.

Next. 4 Likeliest Lakers To Be Traded In 2018-19. dark

While Butler is a great player, the Lakers may want to invest money elsewhere. Maybe into a younger player with fewer injury concerns and fewer miles. With James already turning 34 this season, the Lakers don’t have much time room for error if they are to contend sooner than later.

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