Who Would Have The Better Offer For Jimmy Butler: Lakers Or Warriors?

Superstar Jimmy Butler is in the news this summer since his future seems to be uncertain following a host of comments made by Miami Heat president Pat Riley. Butler is 35 years old and is no longer in his prime so he has to carefully decide what to do with his future, if it falls to his hands to begin with. The Heat might decide to move Jimmy Butler and two teams that seem to be keen on him are the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors .

The Lakers are in win-now mode with LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the squad while the Warriors need to give Stephen Curry help to continue competing at a championship level. To see which destination is better, we compare the potential trade packages the Lakers and Warriors can offer to Miami and decide which offer is better.

Los Angeles Lakers Blockbuster Offer

The Lakers trade package includes some of their highest-valued trade assets in terms of current impact, potential, and future trade value. The question is: how would the Miami Heat consider the Lakers' package in terms of a win-now approach?

Potential Trade Offer

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Jimmy Butler

Miami Heat Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Dalton Knecht, 2031 First-Round Pick (LAL)

The Lakers offer Miami a mix of immediate contributors and long-term potential. D’Angelo Russell, who averaged 18.0 PPG and 6.3 APG last season, would give the Heat a skilled point guard who can both score and distribute. His ability to spread the floor (41.5% 3-point shooter in 2023-24) could fit well in Miami’s offensive system, although his defensive limitations would require adjustment in the Heat’s defensive-minded culture. Russell’s value lies in his current production, which would allow Miami to remain competitive.

Rui Hachimura, meanwhile, would bring the Heat size and versatility in the forward position. Hachimura has shown flashes of scoring ability, especially in the 2023-34 season, where he averaged 13.6 PPG on 53.7% shooting. At 6’8” and 230 pounds, he fits Miami’s physical profile, offering depth and a developing mid-range game. Miami’s coaching staff could help unlock his defensive potential, making him a valuable two-way player. Given his age (26), Hachimura still has room for growth, which adds to his appeal as a long-term piece for Miami.

The deal’s wild cards are Jalen Hood-Schifino and Dalton Knecht. Hood-Schifino, the 17th overall pick in 2023, has intriguing potential as a combo guard with playmaking instincts, while Knecht, drafted in the second round, has been labeled as a potential steal. Knecht is a sharpshooter who posted 39.7% from three in college, a skill that could earn him rotation minutes in Miami’s system. Adding a 2031 first-round pick gives Miami another asset, albeit a distant one. This package offers Miami both immediate help and long-term upside, though it’s not without risk, as much of its value depends on the development of Hood-Schifino and Knecht.

Golden State Warriors All-In Offer

Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors provide a very powerful trade package that would be hard for the Heat to ignore considering the talent on the table along with future assets. No surprise, the Warriors seem to be keen on adding Butler to their core of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

Potential Trade Offer

Golden State Warriors Receive: Jimmy Butler

Miami Heat Receive: Jonathan Kuminga, Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney, Gary Payton II, 2026 First-Round Pick (GSW)

The Warriors' offer for Jimmy Butler includes Jonathan Kuminga , Andrew Wiggins, Kevon Looney, Gary Payton II, and a 2026 first-round pick. This package gives Miami a blend of established talent, defensive prowess, and young potential. Andrew Wiggins, a former All-Star, is arguably the centerpiece of the deal. Wiggins averaged 13.2 PPG and 4.5 RPG in 2023-24, excelling as a two-way wing who can score, defend, and fit seamlessly into any system. His 6’7” frame and defensive versatility would make him an excellent fit for Miami’s tough, physical brand of basketball. Wiggins’ ability to guard multiple positions and hit timely shots could make him a near-ideal replacement for Butler in the Heat’s lineup.

Jonathan Kuminga represents the most exciting young prospect in this deal. At just 21 years old, Kuminga has shown flashes of brilliance, including his athleticism and scoring potential. He averaged 16.1 PPG and 4.8 RPG in a breakout campaign last season, but his upside is what entices most. Kuminga's ability to develop into a versatile forward who can score in transition, defend multiple positions, and rebound effectively could make him a valuable long-term piece for Miami. If the Heat can unlock his potential under Erik Spoelstra’s system, he could become a cornerstone of their future.

Kevon Looney and Gary Payton II provide Miami with two players that fit their defensive mentality. Looney, a consistent rebounder who averaged 5.7 RPG and 0.4 BPG in 2023-24, gives the Heat a solid big man who excels on the glass and sets hard screens. His leadership and consistency would be invaluable, especially with Bam Adebayo anchoring the frontcourt. Meanwhile, Payton is a defensive specialist with a high motor, capable of guarding elite guards and wings. His perimeter defense would enhance Miami’s identity as a gritty defensive team. Lastly, the 2026 first-round pick adds value, especially as the Warriors age and potentially regress, increasing the likelihood that this pick could be high. This package offers Miami a stronger mix of win-now pieces and future assets compared to the Lakers' offer.

Who Has The Better Off: Lakers Or Warriors?

At first glance, the Golden State Warriors' offer appears stronger for Miami in terms of immediate impact. Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, Kevon Looney, and Gary Payton II provide the Heat with a solid mix of proven talent and defensive-minded players who could contribute right away alongside Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Wiggins, a former All-Star, can seamlessly step into a starting role, bringing a two-way ability that fits Miami’s system. Of course, Kuminga’s untapped potential could make him a valuable long-term piece. Add in Looney’s elite rebounding and Payton’s perimeter defense, and the Warriors offer the Heat immediate competitiveness and a stronger chance to continue their playoff pushes.

The Lakers’ offer, however, shines when considering also long-term development, particularly from Hood-Schifino and Knecht. While D'Angelo Russell and Rui Hachimura are solid players, the real intrigue comes from their young assets. Jalen Hood-Schifino, a promising combo guard, and Dalton Knecht, a potential draft steal with excellent shooting ability, give the Heat two young prospects who could blossom under Erik Spoelstra’s guidance. While they won’t provide the same instant impact as Wiggins or Looney, the potential for growth in the next few years makes the Lakers' offer intriguing, especially if Miami prioritizes a rebuild.

In the end, the Warriors’ offer is superior in the short term, as it provides Miami with stronger immediate assets to compete in the present. The Lakers have a package that has more intrigue because we don't know what to expect from Hood-Schifino or Knecht. Overall, both deals are compelling depending on Miami’s goals, but the Warriors hold the edge for a win-now approach and could be more enticing.

Related: 2024-25 Miami Heat Roster By Tiers

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