The Los Angeles Lakers were helped by the Miami Heat’s sign-and-trade deal to land Jimmy Butler.
The Los Angeles Lakers haven’t been very active yet in free agency, but they were aided by one of the bigger trades to occur.
A four-team trade took place between the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Los Angeles Clippers, but the biggest winner in this trade may have been the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Miami Heat acquired Jimmy Butler from the Philadelphia 76ers, and Meyers Leonard from the Blazers, via trade. The Sixers received Josh Richardson from the Heat. The Blazers received Hassan Whiteside.
The Clippers acquired Maurice Harkless, along with a future first-round pick, per Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Sixers get Miami's Josh Richardson in the deal, too. And ... Jimmy Butler gets his four-year, $142M max deal.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
Miami is also sending a future first-round pick to the Clippers, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/q4cip3sR0X
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019
Now that Jimmy Butler got traded to the Miami Heat, this trade will help the Lakers because Kawhi Leonard wanted a second star player with him if he went to the Clippers. That player would have likely been Jimmy Butler. Now that Butler is in Miami, Kawhi’s chances of signing with the Lakers are much stronger and more realistic.
If the Lakers sign Kawhi Leonard, Danny Green will likely be next in line. Kawhi is the second best player in the league and the best two-way player. Green is a good 3-and-D player.
They have offered Rajon Rondo a minimum vet contract as well, and he has 24-hours to decide. On top of that, if the Grizzlies complete a buyout with Andre Iguodala, he could very well end up a Laker, per Chris Broussard, they are “on verge of building a powerhouse.”
Kawhi to Lakers rumblings getting stronger & stronger. Iguodala likely to join Lakers after Memphis buyout. Danny Green & Seth Curry in Lakers’ scope. Lakers offered Rondo vet minimum & 24 hours to decide. Lakers on verge of building powerhouse.
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 1, 2019
If the Lakers can sign Kawhi Leonard, they will have three of the top five players in the NBA. Along with Kawhi, if they sign Danny Green or Andre Iguodala, and Rajon Rondo, they will be in good shape.
The Lakers could potentially have Andre Iguodala leading the bench, along with Alex Caruso, Jonathon Williams, and a couple of veteran role players, likely Kyle Korver if he is bought out from the Grizzlies.
If the Lakers do not have enough money to sign Danny Green, the starters likely will be, Rajon Rondo, Kawhi Leonard, LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma, and Anthony Davis. This will definitely be a team, contending for a championship come June, if healthy.