The Jimmy Butler saga is dominating the NBA landscape in early 2025 and there is no immediate resolution in sight.
Jimmy Butler has made clear his intention to leave the Miami Heat, much to the anger of Pat Riley.
Riley had previously issued a statement saying Jimmy Butler would not be traded to any team, and now he faces having to potentially go back on his word.
Butler is currently suspended by the Heat, while fans are unhappy at his desire to leave.
The 36-year-old has been heavily criticised by some including former NBA star Charles Barkley, while speculation is ramping up over his potential next move.
Butler is strongly linked with the Phoenix Suns – but several teams have also been linked.
Carmelo Anthony says LA Lakers best option
One team that have not been credibly linked with a move for Jimmy Butler is one of the NBA’s biggest franchises, the LA Lakers.
Speaking on the 7PM Brooklyn podcast, former NBA star Carmelo Anthony was asked which team he would send Jimmy Butler to, if he had a free pick.
His choice was clear, responding: “Right now? I’m sending Jimmy to the Lakers.
“You got a veteran team, veteran guys on your team. ‘Bron knows how to ____ with you, he know what you can bring to the team.
“They need defense, you bring that, you bring toughness, and you can ‘go get it’. ‘Bron don’t want to have to keep going to get it.
“AD is going out there doing what he’s doing, you put Jimmy alongside them.”
LeBron James and the Lakers battled in the Championship finals in 2020, with the Western Conference side coming out on top, inside the bubble.
While some players are daunted at playing alongside LeBron James, Carmelo’s point is quite clearly that Butler would not be.
Butler would be another veteran – but one who is four years younger than LeBron, and they would be entertaining to watch together.
- READ: Pat Riley on the truth behind signing LeBron James and Chris Bosh for Miami Heat, and his one regret
Blake Griffin responds to Lakers suggestion
Former LA Clippers star Blake Griffin was on the same podcast and he was not buying into Carmelo’s suggestions Jimmy Butler would be a good fit on the Lakers.
He said: “Here’s my issue with that. He doesn’t want to catch and shoot, it would take some figuring out to have a line-up of LeBron, Jimmy, AD, because [of] Jimmy’s spacing if LeBron’s got the ball.”
Arriving mid-season there would not be much time to figure thing out at all – but Carmelo Anthony responded that he believes it would work, adding: “He’s a facilitator in that position.”
The Lakers have made one trade this season, acquiring Dorian Finney-Smith from the Brooklyn Nets, in a deal that saw D’Angelo Russell head the other way.
Whether the Lakers have the desire or the assets to pull off a move for Butler is doubtful, and make Carmelo Anthony’s dream move little more than pure fantasy booking.