Butler to Lakers with Pistons

[zimpy27]

Lakers get Butler, Burks, Reed, Larsson
Lakers give Rui, Vincent, Vando, Christie, Knecht, JHS, LAL28swap

Heat get Knecht, Christie, Rui, Vincent
Heat give Butler, Burks, Larsson

Pistons get Vando, JHS, LAL28swap
Pistons give Reed

Lakers go for a big 3: Reaves, Butler, DFS, LeBron, Davis -- Burks, Larsson, Reddish, Wood, Reed

Heat get Christie+Knecht (combined for $12m in 2026 offseason, which doesn't eat their space much at all). They also get Rui and Vincent that expire in 2026. Importantly the Heat duck the tax entirely this season.

Pistons get Vando who is expected back on the court this month. They also get a look at JHS. But mainly they get the unprotected swap when they should be a strong playoff team and Lakers will probably be without LeBron and Butler.

[axeman23]

If I were Lakers, I'd add another swap to keep Knecht, or just remove Knecht altogether. Larsson isn't setting the world on fire, and despite hearing for years about Paul Read being some "advances stat/per 48 monster", his ACTUAL stats, and GAMETIME haven't really backed that up, imo... This also leaves the Lakers pretty thin on the guard spots. I'd see what other offers I had to beat before putting this out there as my initial off, from Lakers pov.

[tmorgan]

This is actually tempting to me.

I actually like Vando, so the 3/36 after this year doesn’t bother me a ton. He’s likely a bit overpaid unless he stays fully healthy and improves a bit, but gritty defense is a Detroit staple.

JHS had his options declined and would just be getting a look before seeing if he sticks in the league as a near minimum guy.

That swap is potentially juicy but would def need to be unprotected to take on 14(prorated)/12/12/13 in salary for future years.

I think I’d say yes from Detroit.

[SlimShady83]

No thanks Zimpy, you've lost me again, go back to the Utah trade where you won me over

[zimpy27]

If I were Lakers, I'd add another swap to keep Knecht, or just remove Knecht altogether. Larsson isn't setting the world on fire, and despite hearing for years about Paul Read being some "advances stat/per 48 monster", his ACTUAL stats, and GAMETIME haven't really backed that up, imo... This also leaves the Lakers pretty thin on the guard spots. I'd see what other offers I had to beat before putting this out there as my initial off, from Lakers pov.

Well Knecht and Christie is the value that makes Heat actually choose this path. I'm not sure a swap is tempting to Heat unless it's in 2030.

[Xman]

Is Knecht worth that much? I know he’s had some good games but really?
The rest is low value.

[zimpy27]

Is Knecht worth that much? I know he’s had some good games but really?
The rest is low value.

Knecht and Christie

[winforlose]

Lakers get Butler, Burks, Reed, Larsson
Lakers give Rui, Vincent, Vando, Christie, Knecht, JHS, LAL28swap

Heat get Knecht, Christie, Rui, Vincent
Heat give Butler, Burks, Larsson

Pistons get Vando, JHS, LAL28swap
Pistons give Reed

Lakers go for a big 3: Reaves, Butler, DFS, LeBron, Davis -- Burks, Larsson, Reddish, Wood, Reed

Heat get Christie+Knecht (combined for $12m in 2026 offseason, which doesn't eat their space much at all). They also get Rui and Vincent that expire in 2026. Importantly the Heat duck the tax entirely this season.

Pistons get Vando who is expected back on the court this month. They also get a look at JHS. But mainly they get the unprotected swap when they should be a strong playoff team and Lakers will probably be without LeBron and Butler.

All else aside Reed cannot be traded this season. He was released and resigned.

[zimpy27]

Lakers get Butler, Burks, Reed, Larsson
Lakers give Rui, Vincent, Vando, Christie, Knecht, JHS, LAL28swap

Heat get Knecht, Christie, Rui, Vincent
Heat give Butler, Burks, Larsson

Pistons get Vando, JHS, LAL28swap
Pistons give Reed

Lakers go for a big 3: Reaves, Butler, DFS, LeBron, Davis -- Burks, Larsson, Reddish, Wood, Reed

Heat get Christie+Knecht (combined for $12m in 2026 offseason, which doesn't eat their space much at all). They also get Rui and Vincent that expire in 2026. Importantly the Heat duck the tax entirely this season.

Pistons get Vando who is expected back on the court this month. They also get a look at JHS. But mainly they get the unprotected swap when they should be a strong playoff team and Lakers will probably be without LeBron and Butler.

All else aside Reed cannot be traded this season. He was released and resigned.

Can he not be traded at all? I just thought he couldn't be aggregated

[One_and_Done]

Seems like the Heat would be better off keeping Butler and playing hardball.

[winforlose]

Lakers get Butler, Burks, Reed, Larsson
Lakers give Rui, Vincent, Vando, Christie, Knecht, JHS, LAL28swap

Heat get Knecht, Christie, Rui, Vincent
Heat give Butler, Burks, Larsson

Pistons get Vando, JHS, LAL28swap
Pistons give Reed

Lakers go for a big 3: Reaves, Butler, DFS, LeBron, Davis -- Burks, Larsson, Reddish, Wood, Reed

Heat get Christie+Knecht (combined for $12m in 2026 offseason, which doesn't eat their space much at all). They also get Rui and Vincent that expire in 2026. Importantly the Heat duck the tax entirely this season.

Pistons get Vando who is expected back on the court this month. They also get a look at JHS. But mainly they get the unprotected swap when they should be a strong playoff team and Lakers will probably be without LeBron and Butler.

All else aside Reed cannot be traded this season. He was released and resigned.

Can he not be traded at all? I just thought he couldn't be aggregated

Spotract says ineligible to be traded until March. Which makes sense as a newly signed player.

[AmusingFiddle]

Hard Pass from Lakers. Knecht from what we hear is untouchable. Not trading our flexibility and youth to take on a headache that wants a 120M extension to play 60 games a year.

Miami won't do this either.

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using RealGM mobile app

[nzahir]

Trade machine takes this (but unsure if its correct since LAL taking in a bit more $. Can get rid of Larsson if needed)

Not moving Max in this deal

Lakers get Butler, Larsson
Lakers give Rui, Vincent, Vando, Knecht, JHS, Cam/Hayes, LA 26 swap, LAL28swap

Can move a 1st if needed, but then trying to see if we can swing Wood and 2 1sts (protecting 1) for Kessler

Reaves, Butler, DFS, Bron, AD
Milton, Christie, Cam, Kessler

Pretty great top 7 of AD, Bron, Butler, Reaves, Kessler, DFS, Christie,

Sign DSJ/Fulz, RoCo, and some other vets

If Miami wants a 1st, take out a swap and get another cheap C, but not many good Cs at 3M or less

[axeman23]

If I were Lakers, I'd add another swap to keep Knecht, or just remove Knecht altogether. Larsson isn't setting the world on fire, and despite hearing for years about Paul Read being some "advances stat/per 48 monster", his ACTUAL stats, and GAMETIME haven't really backed that up, imo... This also leaves the Lakers pretty thin on the guard spots. I'd see what other offers I had to beat before putting this out there as my initial off, from Lakers pov.

Well Knecht and Christie is the value that makes Heat actually choose this path. I'm not sure a swap is tempting to Heat unless it's in 2030.

We've seen various attempts at the "3rd star" next to Lebron and AD, and I just don't think it works. The year they had 2 stars and depth, they won the title. Since they've lost that depth, they've come up short. I don't see gutting their current depth and future assets for Jimmy Butler's final years changing that. Knecht and Christie may be what the Heat need to part with Jimmy. That doesn't mean the Lakers need to PAY that price, especially when Lebron and AD are not (to my knowledge...) clamoring for him to be targeted.

[DanishLakerFan]

Jimmy always leave his teams on bad terms, so imo the LAL should stay away from him.

But if the alternative is doing nothing i think i'd take it.

I do think LA can do better, though.

[Apz]

I think pistons days as dumpingground is over

[BBallFreak]

No thanks for Miami. We have two goals in a Jimmy trade - no salary beyond 2026 and players who can help us get to the playoffs. This, from my estimation, accomplishes neither goal.