Bill Simmons suggested a blockbuster trade that would send LeBron James from the Lakers to the Warriors in exchange for Jimmy Butler.
Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors are both in need of a spark. The Lakers sit fourth in the Western Conference but are just 5-5 in their last 10 games, while the Warriors are eighth and have also gone 5-5 over the same stretch.
Golden State Warriors / Schedule
With both teams struggling and facing roster challenges, “The Ringer” founder Bill Simmons suggested an idea that would instantly make the league more exciting: a trade sending LeBron James to Golden State for Jimmy Butler.
“How do you make the league more fun? You have a team that nobody’s excited about with the Lakers, and a team that feels dead with the Warriors. LeBron for Jimmy Butler?” Simmons said. “It feels like a ‘for the good of the sport’ trade. Just more fun. The Warriors are not fun. I don’t see a scenario where they become fun. But now you put LeBron on the team with Curry… LeBron reinvigorated, and who knows? And then Butler is probably a better fit with Luka and Reaves.”
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Financially, the swap is feasible. LeBron is earning $52.6 million this season, while Butler makes $54.1 million. A direct swap could happen without additional fillers or losing rotation players. Basketball-wise, it also makes sense.
Simmons added: “I think Golden State would probably do that… because LeBron is an expiring contract. Maybe they’d throw him one more year. It’s a good ‘who says no?’ though. Because if you’re the Lakers, you can lock in the Butler contract for an extra year, since all they care about is two years from now. But maybe Butler’s a better fit with what they have anyway, because LeBron doesn’t really seem like he wants to be on the Lakers.”
Even at 41, LeBron has shown he can still compete at a high level. His performance alongside Steph Curry in the 2024 Paris Olympics proved that age hasn’t slowed him down much.
For the Lakers, Butler could slot seamlessly alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Butler has proven capable of playing a supportive role.
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