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Why for GS: They get off of the last year of Butler's deal. Swap defense for offense and go all in on a single season

Why for the Lakers: It sounds like it's time and they need defensive help with Luka more than they need the current version of LBJ.

Why for Lebron? He has a NTC right?

If the Lakers want cap space in 2026 Free Agency and didn't offer LeBron any sort of extension, why would they take on Butler for that cap space instead?

Texas Chuck wrote:Why for Lebron? He has a NTC right?

There were rumors he was open to playing with Steph and Green but Rich Paul thought it would be a bad look. Also, I'm not sure LBJ has an actual NTC. He had been doing one-and-one deals to maintain veto power. He's opted in to the last year of his contract. That restriction is no longer applicable?

Texas Chuck wrote:Why for Lebron? He has a NTC right?

Unless you think his recent statements are smoke, It seems like he doesn't believe that team can win now.

Have to feel a lot better about Curry - Podz/Moody - Lebron - Dray right?

As a Laker fan, no thanks. Rather trade Bron to Cavs for Garland or to Knicks if he were to ask out.

ReggiesKnicks wrote:If the Lakers want cap space in 2026 Free Agency and didn't offer LeBron any sort of extension, why would they take on Butler for that cap space instead?

To my eye, Butler has more left in the tank and he's a pretty good fit alongside Luka. Rather than punt this year with Luka, get him a running mate, get him extended, and then try F.A. in 2027.

SlimShady83 wrote:As a Laker fan, no thanks. Rather trade Bron to Cavs for Garland or to Knicks if he were to ask out.

The Cavs are more than $20M+ over 2nd apron and LBJ makes considerably more than Garland. It's just not happening.

SlimShady83 wrote:As a Laker fan, no thanks. Rather trade Bron to Cavs for Garland or to Knicks if he were to ask out.

Doesn't seem like either of those teams are interested in giving good young guys for Lebron

Butler making more than LBJ lets GSW go over second apron if they wanted.. then get back under the second apron after the one fun run..

I think the free agent class of 2026 is looking really questionable - so Butler’s two year deal makes sense to me.. but LA does seem to be pivoting to go for 2026 free agency.

jbk1234 wrote:

SlimShady83 wrote:As a Laker fan, no thanks. Rather trade Bron to Cavs for Garland or to Knicks if he were to ask out.

The Cavs are more than $20M+ over 2nd apron and LBJ makes considerably more than Garland. It's just not happening.

Wouldn't be just for a straight swap, I don't care where Lebronny (nickname I'm giving them) goes, any where is fine by me, just don't want Butler or anyone else really in there 30's, might not have to much of a choice, we'll have to come out and see what teams Lebronny lists if it does happen.

LightTheBeam wrote:

Texas Chuck wrote:Why for Lebron? He has a NTC right?

Unless you think his recent statements are smoke, It seems like he doesn't believe that team can win now.

Have to feel a lot better about Curry - Podz/Moody - Lebron - Dray right?

Sorry when I post that we need reasons for Beal or Lebron or a free agent in a S&T its not me questioning the idea, its that the players have agency so we need reasons for them because the teams can't make the proposed deal without their okay.

I don't see this deal going down at all, but thats just my opinion and largely immaterial. But we should be in the habit of providing reasons why players go along with ideas that require their okay.

This fits the requirement that every major move GS does make us older, so props for that.

jbk1234 wrote:

ReggiesKnicks wrote:If the Lakers want cap space in 2026 Free Agency and didn't offer LeBron any sort of extension, why would they take on Butler for that cap space instead?

To my eye, Butler has more left in the tank and he's a pretty good fit alongside Luka. Rather than punt this year with Luka, get him a running mate, get him extended, and then try F.A. in 2027.

LeBron is a better fit.

I'd prefer Luka + Cap Space + 2026 LeBron than Luka + Butler + No Cap Space

ReggiesKnicks wrote:

jbk1234 wrote:

ReggiesKnicks wrote:If the Lakers want cap space in 2026 Free Agency and didn't offer LeBron any sort of extension, why would they take on Butler for that cap space instead?

To my eye, Butler has more left in the tank and he's a pretty good fit alongside Luka. Rather than punt this year with Luka, get him a running mate, get him extended, and then try F.A. in 2027.

LeBron is a better fit.

I'd prefer Luka + Cap Space + 2026 LeBron than Luka + Butler + No Cap Space

I don't have LBJ at 41 as a good fit alongside Luka.

jbk1234 wrote:

ReggiesKnicks wrote:

jbk1234 wrote:
To my eye, Butler has more left in the tank and he's a pretty good fit alongside Luka. Rather than punt this year with Luka, get him a running mate, get him extended, and then try F.A. in 2027.

LeBron is a better fit.

I'd prefer Luka + Cap Space + 2026 LeBron than Luka + Butler + No Cap Space

I don't have LBJ at 41 as a good fit alongside Luka.

I don't have Butler, who doesn't shoot 3's, as a good fit either. LeBron is also a better rim protector than Butler and his size (LeBron's) allows him to play meaningful stretch-4 minutes and LeBron is a better secondary playmaker/shot creator.

I like Butler and he fits really well in GSW. I don’t think this trade makes either team better.

As long as I've lusted after getting Bron to bow before Kerr ( ), I want to give Butler another shot

How about sending Butler, along with Reeves and picks, to the Bucks? Lakers get Giannis and Connaughton.

SlimShady83 wrote:

jbk1234 wrote:

SlimShady83 wrote:As a Laker fan, no thanks. Rather trade Bron to Cavs for Garland or to Knicks if he were to ask out.

The Cavs are more than $20M+ over 2nd apron and LBJ makes considerably more than Garland. It's just not happening.

Wouldn't be just for a straight swap, I don't care where Lebronny (nickname I'm giving them) goes, any where is fine by me, just don't want Butler or anyone else really in there 30's, might not have to much of a choice, we'll have to come out and see what teams Lebronny lists if it does happen.

I think the point here is that because LBJ makes more than Garland, Cleveland would have to aggregate salaries which would trigger a hard cap at the second apron. So they'd have to send out LeBron's full salary plus an additional ~$20M to make the deal legal.