RealGM

Ill offer this idea for Lakers to start building for the future, Warriors look to keep Kuminga and Utah gets a veteran wing

To Golden State Warriors (Trade Butler, 2nd)
-LeBron James (1 year, $52.4 million)

To Utah (Trade Collins, Nurkic, 2 1sts)
-Jimmy Butler (2 years, $111 million)
-2026 Warriors 2nd round pick

To Los Angeles (Trade LeBron)
-John Collins (1 year, $26.6 million)
-Josef Nurkic (1 year, $19.4 million)
-2027 1st round pick (2nd most favorable out of Utah, Cleveland or Minnestoa 1st)
-2029 1st round pick (2nd most favourable out of Utah, Cleveland or Minneosta 1st)

WHy?
-The Warriors add LeBron to play the 4 as they look to keep Kuminga and play the 3. They can focus exemption money on Looney replacement and fill rst of roster out with VM players

Curry/Payton?/FA?
Hield/Podz/FA?
Kuminga/Moody/Santos
James/Davis/FA?
Green/FA?/Post

-The Jazz add a legit SF in Butler as the Jazz clear up frontcourt and add more scoring at the 3.

Collier/Clayton Jr./Springer
Bailey/Williams/George
Butler/Martin/Sensaubaugh
Markannen/Hendricks/FA?
Kessler/Filipowski/FA?

-The Lakers maintain cap flexibility by landing 2 expirings, cut cap, and pick up 2 1sts to help further use to build around Luka

Doncic/Vincent/Goodwin/James
Reaves/Milton
Hachimura/Knecht/FA?
Vanderbilt/Kleber/Laiva
Collins/Nurkic/FA?

This is a better idea without Utah being involved.

Ya i dont see Utah trading 2 1sts for an aging star who probably still doesnt push them to the playoffs

mademan wrote:Ya i dont see Utah trading 2 1sts for an aging star who probably still doesnt push them to the playoffs

Relaitvely low risk picks Jazz give up as context is important and the Jazz still have the Lakers 1-4 protected 2027 1st and the Suns 2031. Minnesota and Cleveland likley remain competitive for at least 2026-27 season.

Negative interest in this.

Lakers shouldn't waste a year of Luka . Now if you send them their draft picks back, they might lol

Butler says no.

Crazy idea that Utah would do this. Butler would not be happy and no one wants to mess with an unhappy Butler.

Surprised the Spurs aren't in here instead of Utah. Their cursory interest in Durant show they at least are willing to consider a vet star, and one who expires right before Wemby's second contract kicks in makes some sense.