This trade would give Los Angeles a legitimate chance of winning another championship.

The Lakers have done a horrific job preparing for the end of LeBron’s career, wasting his final days with a nonsensical roster. Los Angeles’ front office has been given a unique opportunity to acquire a superstar and they need to take advantage of it.

Jimmy Butler and the Heat are seemingly progressing toward a trade. He battled LeBron in the NBA Finals and is one of the best postseason performers in recent memory. If the Lakers want to commit to a short-term timeline and swing for the fences, Butler represents the perfect kind of splash move.

Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss can’t be trusted, though this might be their best remaining option.

Lakers Acquire Jimmy Butler in Blockbuster Projected Trade

This would be a difficult trade for the Lakers to stomach, depleting their depth in search of a star. At 35 years old, Butler isn’t the player he once was. Nonetheless, he’s still a bonafide playoff performer who could lift the franchise to another title before LeBron hangs up his shoes.

He’s averaging 18.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists per contest for a middling Miami squad. The Lakers are stumbling, but a trio of LeBron, Butler, and Anthony Davis could terrorize opponents.

D’Angelo Russell is among the most despised players in the city. Losing Austin Reaves would hurt, but he’s not so indispensable that he can’t be sent away. Considering the status of this organization, it’d make sense to push all of their chips into the middle of the table to try to win another ring.

Make no mistake, the Lakers are in massive trouble once LeBron retires. Pelinka and Buss have proven incapable of constructing a logical roster, so why not go all-in for a chance at a title?

This type of trade would shake the NBA up and have massive consequences. Even still, it’s one the front office needs to consider.