Minnesota Timberwolves star Jimmy Butler and new Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James have played together before, but those games were All-Star exhibitions. Now it appears Butler would be open to teaming up with James for the real thing.
According to Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, a source close to Butler believes the star wing would be open to moving to Los Angeles and playing with King James. James and the Lakers need more talent to challenge the Warriors, and adding Butler to the mix would certainly spice things up.
For now, Butler will suit up for the Timberwolves, but Jimmy Buckets will be a free agent in 2019 and it doesn't sound like he plans on sticking around in Minnesota. Butler has made it clear he's unhappy in Minnesota, and teams around the league are salivating at the chance to sign the lockdown defender.
Butler has made the last four All-Star Games. Although he's not mentioned in the same breath as LeBron James or Kevin Durant, he has certainly made his case for consideration as a top-10 player. He would bring a lot of the qualities that Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka are looking for.
Butler is tough, competitive, gritty and he can defend just about anyone in the league. He would be a perfect running mate for James in Hollywood.
James and the Lakers will have to play next season without Butler, but they are trending in the right direction. James is joined by a young corps and a cadre of veteran free agents. They may be one star away from challenging the Warriors as it stands. Perhaps in 2019, Butler will sign with LA and put them over the top.
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