Now that LeBron James is with the Los Angeles Lakers, NBA rumors are swirling about which other stars may decide to join him there. There have been quite a few All-Star level players mentioned ahead of LeBron even signing the contract in L.A. Even Kevin Durant, who has won back-to-back NBA Finals MVP awards and championship rings with the Warriors was mentioned. However, recent speculation is pointing towards the possibility that All-Star Jimmy Butler, currently with the Minnesota Timberwolves, is open to the idea.

Butler's situation with Minnesota

Jimmy Butler was a longtime member of the Chicago Bulls and became its latest "face of the franchise" once Derrick Rose departed. However, Butler was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves by the Chicago Bulls during last year's NBA Draft. The Bulls went about rebuilding their roster, but Butler joined rising stars Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns in Minnesota. Towns defended LeBron after Trump's Twitter attack following a CNN interview. Unfortunately, Towns may not be well-liked by all teammates.

The team managed to achieve the No. 8 seed in the West, but it was a battle. The team drew the unenviable task of taking on James Harden and the Rockets in the first round and were eliminated.

Earlier this summer, there were rumblings that Butler was not happy with the "nonchalant" attitude of certain teammates. Towns was specifically mentioned in the rumor reports. Could that lead to Butler deciding to bolt Minnesota as soon as he can? Possibly. Heavy mentioned in their recent report that Butler also has just a year to go on his current NBA deal.

He also has a player option for the 2019-20 season. He could very well opt to become a free agent just like LeBron did.

Jimmy Butler to L.A. rumors

The Los Angeles Lakers became a much more attractive free agency destination for star players once LeBron James signed up. Players that have been mentioned as potential targets to join the squad are Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and Kemba Walker.

However, Jimmy Butler's name is now in the mix too. As Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus mentioned, a source close to Butler said: "he’s open to the idea of moving on from the Timberwolves to play alongside James in Los Angeles."

Butler spent his first six seasons with the Chicago Bulls and averaged 15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. His numbers improved in the 2016-17 season to career-bests in all three categories. In Minnesota, he's still managed to achieve 22.2 points, 5.3 boards, and 4.9 assists per game. Adding a talent, of his level, alongside LeBron James, would be a huge win for Magic Johnson's Lakers. That's especially true, now that Paul George has basically decided to stick with the Oklahoma City Thunder, and it's unknown whether or not Kawhi Leonard will stay in Toronto.

Lakers' outlook

The oddsmakers in Las Vegas have already pegged the new-look Los Angeles Lakers as a playoff team. They have given then an over/under wins total of 48 wins this coming season thanks to the addition of James and other veterans. Not only did they sign James, but they also added several players who have won championships including JaVale McGee, Rajon Rondo, and Michael Beasley. LeBron's longtime nemesis in the league, Lance Stephenson, is also finally on the same team as the guy he has tried to torment.

In addition to those veterans, there are the young emerging stars who may only get better with LeBron there. They include guards Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart, as well as scoring phenom Kyle Kuzma and small forward Brandon Ingram.

Each of these players has been touted as potential stars ahead of James' arrival.

Adding Jimmy Butler to a roster that includes James and some of the aforementioned players seems like it could only boost the team's chances at a push for a championship. First, they'll need to see how the coming season plays out with the roster they already have to determine who may be on the way out.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED