Lakers Rumors: Latest on Jimmy Butler Rumblings and Upcoming Roster Decisions
Failure is a tough pill to swallow for the Los Angeles Lakers, but it's one general manager Mitch Kupchak and the front office planned for while embracing the franchise's first rebuilding mode in a long time.
While the rest of the league focuses on the NBA playoffs, the Lakers must fancy themselves sleeping giants ready to pounce. The team added a top-10 pick in Julius Randle in 2014, it might add another this year, and it may splurge on a big-name free agent to build a contender for years to come.
As the franchise inches closer to exploding from hibernation, let's take the time to look at some upcoming roster moves the team may make, as well as the latest rumblings on one superstar the team seems to covet.
The Wes Johnson Question
Former Syracuse product Wes Johnson is one of the league's most intriguing players at this point.
At times, the 27-year-old looks like a budding superstar, scoring at will and locking down opponents. He's maddening from a consistency standpoint, which may explain the team's hesitation to bring him back heading into free agency.
Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News provides the scoop:
"All of which leaves the Lakers with mixed feelings on whether they want to retain Johnson once he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
The Lakers have not given up yet on whether Johnson will continue to grow after playing multiple positions under Mike D’Antoni (2013-14) and primarily at small forward under Scott (2014-15).
"
The question becomes whether the Lakers have the patience to see if Johnson can morph into a major contributor.
He averaged a career-high 9.9 points last year, up from the 9.1 the year prior, although his field-goal and three-point percentages dipped. There's no easy answer for the front office, although there must be an allure to keep around a rotational defender who can shut down opposing players when it matters.
Either way, the Lakers have a tough decision, and it's not the only one.
The Jordan Hill Question
Similar questions circle Jordan Hill.
A mainstay in Los Angeles over the last three seasons, Hill also exploded for a career-high average of 12.0 points last year, but he seemed to fall off a cliff as the season trudged toward its whimper of a conclusion.
It's a mixed situation for the Lakers, a team weighing whether to pick up Hill's $9 million option, per Medina: "That marks one of many reasons why the Lakers feel unsure if they will exercise his $9 million team option before June 30. Just like how it has become with any player on their roster, the Lakers are placing more priority on the NBA Draft on June 25 and the marquee stars once free agency begins on July 1."
There is a lot to like with Hill, and it's hard to imagine his name wasn't floated around in potential blockbuster deals earlier this year. With him still around, though, the team has to decide whether he's worth such an investment—especially with the young, improving Tarik Black on the roster.
The decision on Hill will perhaps prove more interesting than with Johnson, as it hints toward how much cash the front office is willing to splurge and how many pieces from the rebuilding years it wants to use as role players down the road.
Max Offer for Jimmy Butler?
Make no mistake, the Lakers aren't in the playoffs, but they're watching with a microscope.
One superstar Kupchak and Co. seem to covet is Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler, the 25-year-old elite scorer who just won the Most Improved Player award after turning down an extension offer in an attempt to earn more cash via his play.
According to Shams Charania of RealGM.com, the Lakers are one team willing to help Butler cash in: "Outside of Chicago, teams are already preparing possible maximum-salary offer sheets for Butler in free agency, including the Los Angeles Lakers as one of several expected suitors, league sources told RealGM."
Butler averages 20.0 points, 3.3 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game, all career highs. Feel free to toss in a superb 21.32 player efficiency rating, per ESPN.com. There's no question Butler could be a superstar the Lakers need, but it sounds as if he plans to stay in Chicago, per USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt: "This is a place for me. I love playing with the guys that we have. They continue to bring in great, high character guys that fit the team role. I love it here. I'm happy to be here."
The Lakers seem to hope otherwise, and it's hard to place blame. There's always an allure to playing with Los Angeles, not to mention acting as a key cog with two top-10 selections and learning from Kobe Bryant.
Whether Butler buys into the rebuilding plans is a story for another time, but at the least, the report confirms the thought Los Angeles is willing to spend whatever it takes to lure young, budding superstar potential to town.
Butler personifies this and the Lakers' fresh approach to rebuilding.
Stats and info courtesy of ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
