07-12-2025, 05:29 AM
(07-12-2025, 01:22 AM)omahen Wrote: I would say both say no. GSW doesn't get much better with LeBron instead of Butler. Perhaps even worse, because LeBron positionally overlaps with Draymond, unless you go all in with Draymond as a small ball center. They would have a hole at SF, although they do have the assets and ability to do some additional moves.
Lakers would have exactly same problems with Butler as they have with LeBron. They don't don't get better and Butler has another year - a year they could give to LeBron, but they didn't want to, because it would be preventing them to trully build around Luka after this season. Same as with LeBron - you can't really hope to move Butler in some good trade due to all the difficulties of trading such a huge contract. Of course, if some draft assets would be attached, it would make things more appealing, but why would GSW do that.
However, lets say LeBron would be dead set on moving on and GSW would be willing to do this deal. I guess I would be forced to take the deal, just to avoid all the drama. Look hard if there is a possibility to move Butler for better long term pieces.
This.
Lakers want to move to the Luka timeline and Butler just delays this without getting significantly better. Though I do believe they get better, it´s not by much.
While the Lakers flat out got their ass handed to them by the Wolves, the Warriors can at least be pretty confident, they´d have made the West finals. Adding Horford/Melton + whatever they get for Kuminga should make them better.