Jimmy Butler has been making a name for himself moving from one NBA team to another the past two seasons. After spending most of his career with the Chicago Bulls (2011-17), the 29-year-old has found difficulty blending in with other teams such as the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Known to be a winner, Butler wants to be with a team that can immediately compete. He also wants to be around mature players who have that competitive spirit - a reason why he has jawed with the likes of Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Joel Embiid.
From the looks of it, Butler wants to do more on the court and play that mentor younger guys who are still polishing their craft. If this is one factor that 6-foot-8 player is looking for, then his next NBA team could be whittled down to a few.
According to the Bleacher Report, two other teams that could pursue Butler are the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets. With the Lakers, the 30th overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft could end up being LeBron James partner next season.
Butler's tantrums leave a lot to be desired although this is something where James can help out. He has dealt with players like J.R. Smith and Lance Stephenson and managed to strike it well. If Butler is to unleash is actual talent, the Lakers could be a good landing spot, Lakers Nation said.
But if immediate results are what Butler wants, the Nets could be a better choice. After years of struggling, Brooklyn has managed to advance to the NBA playoffs. Even more surprising is that they snagged the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference, not bad for a team that hardly has any big names in the roster.
The rising star for the Nets is ironically a former Laker in D'Angelo Russell. Somehow, he has come out of his shell and responded to the guidance of head coach Kenny Atkinson.
Looking towards next season, Butler could be a great addition to the team. Especially if he wants to join a team on the rise, the Nets could be a tempting destination to consider.
But before the Lakers or the Nets can get their hands on Butler, the Philadelphia 76ers get the first crack. Philly is inclined to try and keep Butler in the mix although internal (strained) relationships could prevent a smooth transition.
For Butler to know his place, someone who can talk sense into him is needed. The Lakers have James to do that while the Nets and Sixers don't. Could this be a factor come the NBA offseason?
