Lakers Rumors: Jimmy Butler Trade Isn't on LA's Radar Due to 'hefty' Heat Contract

The Los Angeles Lakers likely aren't looking to trade for Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler because of the $48.8 million he is set to make this season, according to ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel.

The Lakers are focusing on adding "frontcourt help and two-way wings" this winter in part because the team "does not want to bring in another hefty salary like Butler's at this juncture," Siegel reported.

Siegel described the Golden State Warriors as the "favorites" to trade for Butler, while naming the Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder as other possible candidates for the Heat star.

Butler is averaging 19.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting a career-best 55.2 percent from the floor through 19 starts with the Heat this season.

For the Lakers, who are looking for consistent production outside of Anthony Davis in order to climb out of the middle of the Western Conference, adding him would provide an offensive boost.

But that addition could be for just a single postseason run. Butler is essentially playing on an expiring contract thanks to the $52.4 million player option he is expected to decline next season, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

That makes him an expensive rental especially for the Lakers, who headed into Friday with just $30,000 in space under the second luxury tax apron.

That lack of space means the Lakers would likely need to send out multiple key players like D'Angelo Russell and forward Rui Hachimura, potentially alongside draft stock, in order to bring Butler to Los Angeles for half a season.

Charania previously reported that Butler "is believed to prefer a win-now title contender in any trade," and a team led by Davis and LeBron James could fit that requirement. But it sounds like the Heat will need to find a team more willing to blow up their roster, such as the 14-12 Warriors, in order to send out enough salary to take on Butler's contract for the rest of the season.