The Los Angeles Lakers can take Jimmy Butler’s name off their free agency board. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Miami Heat are currently finalizing a sign-and-trade with the Philadelphia 76ers that will send Butler to South Beach. In exchange, the Sixers will acquire Josh Richardson from the Heat.
There had been talk heading into free agency that Butler could be a potential target for Los Angeles as the final piece of a “Big Three” that would also include LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But it appears the Lakers are all-in on acquiring the services of Kawhi Leonard and as a result they are willing to let secondary superstar options like Butler sign elsewhere. In 55 games with the Sixers last season, Jimmy averaged 18 points and five rebounds.
Reports out of Philadelphia on Sunday have included the Sixers resigning Tobias Harris, potentially extending the contract of Ben Simmons while letting J.J. Redick walk and sign with the New Orleans Pelicans. Philadelphia is also reportedly signing Boston Celtics center Al Horford according to a subsequent tweet from Woj.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, all eyes remained locked on Kawhi as we wait for his decision. For as many free agent moves as we’ve seen so far, LeBron and the Lakers have remained eerily quiet. But don’t expect that to last too much longer.
