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Lakers trade LeBron James back to Heat in this potential package

By Jason Reed

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat is defended by LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers at FTX Arena on January 23, 2022 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 23: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat is defended by LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers at FTX Arena on January 23, 2022 in Miami, Florida. 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 Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Why the Miami Heat could say yes:

The Miami Heat are currently competing for the NBA Championship so this is not even something that the team is thinking about right now. While Miami will most likely get past the Philadelphia 76ers because of Joel Embiid’s injury, it seems unlikely that they will get past either the Boston Celtics or Milwaukee Bucks.

Regardless, while Butler has been a great player for Miami who led the team to the NBA Finals in 2020, there are some cracks in that relationship that could lead to the team shipping him off if they can get someone like LeBron James in return.

Butler and Erik Spoelstra had a very heated argument towards the end of the regular season and while both parties downplayed the incident it was not a typical coach-player argument that we have seen before. With Butler’s past on other teams, this could be the first seed in a ruined relationship.

If the Heat have any indications that Butler is no longer a good fit culture-wise then it absolutely makes sense to move him now coming off of a deep playoff run where he still has a lot of value. Miami very well could be looking at that $52 million salary in the 2025-26 season when he is 36 as cause for concern.

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Meanwhile, they would get at least one year of LeBron James, who could lead the team to the NBA Finals with its current supporting cast so long that he stays healthy next season. Better yet for Miami, there is no long-term commitment and they free up the ability to re-sign LeBron for a year or pursue other options.