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03/29/2024 11:02:25 am

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Lakers Trade Rumors: Jimmy Butler-Jordan Clarkson Swap on the Horizon?

Chicago Bulls shooting guard Jimmy Butler (R) drives past New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony

(Photo : Getty Images) Rumors are out that a Jimmy Butler-Jordan Clarkson trade between the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers could happen soon.

Rumors are out that a Jimmy Butler-Jordan Clarkson trade between the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers could happen soon as the Hollywood team seeks a legitimate superstar to carry the torch left by the retired Kobe Bryant.

After Bryant retired at the end of last season, the Lakers is now in an unfamiliar setting of not having a "proven superstar" in its lineup. This is said to be unacceptable for the team's top bosses as the franchise's esteemed brand may be affected by the lack of in-game crowd-drawers.

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Bryant was the ultimate crowd-drawer and the Lakers is without him for the first time in 20 seasons.

The team has a lot of potential future stars, but none of them has yet to emerge into a real one at the moment. Thus, speculations arose that the club will make one last effort to sign a true superstar that could somehow fill-in the big shoes left by Bryant when it comes to TV ratings and gate receipts.

Fansided suggested several players that the Lakers could target via trade this offseason and one of them is the Bulls' All-Star shooting guard Jimmy Butler.

At 27 years old, Butler is arguably entering the prime years of his career. He is so far a two-time All-Star, three-time All-Defensive Second Teamer, and the NBA's Most Improved Player in 2015, which is a good start for someone who will be lauded and scrutinized by the Hollywood media at the same time.

Should Chicago become interested, the Bulls is expected to demand one of their young guards in return. D'Angelo Russell is considered as an "untouchable" right now and so rumors say that incoming third-year combo guard Jordan Clarkson, plus one or two other assets, would be the most likely trade chip.

Another reason that the Bulls may be willing to let go of Butler is said to be the presence of Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo. Both NBA champion-veterans are reportedly in the face of Butler when it comes to team leadership, which could potentially hinder his growth as the Bulls' rightful team leader.

Just recently, Wade and Rondo are reportedly "taking early control of the Bulls", according to Fox Sports, and it may not sit well with Butler in the long run.

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