The Los Angeles Lakers want another superstar to create a new “Big Three” in the Western Conference, someone to share the basketball and the scoring load with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Recent rumors have linked the Lakers strongly with Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler — but does Butler want to be in LA?

The short answer would be “no”. Butler, 35, has never won an NBA championship — and as his career begins to wind down, the former Chicago Bull seems intent on forcing his way to a squad that could win one next spring. The Heat will likely make the playoffs, just like the Lakers should, but it appears that neither Miami nor Los Angeles will be able to offer Butler what he wants in a big holiday blow to LeBron.

Butler prefers Suns, Warriors to Lakers

ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported Wednesday that Butler would “prefer” to be traded before the February deadline, and that he has the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns — two of the Lakers’ longtime rivals — atop his destination wishlist.

Though the Heat are sixth in the Eastern Conference, Butler no longer thinks he can win a championship with the franchise he has taken to the NBA Finals twice since 2020. Amid the Warriors‘ recent offensive struggles, Golden State might be anxious to pair Butler with Stephen Curry — even if it costs more than $50 million per year over a short-term contract extension. Meanwhile, Phoenix could dangle guard Bradley Beal‘s contract in talks with Miami, especially if the Suns identify Butler as a better fit next to Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.

Butler’s “request” sets the stage for a fascinating few weeks ahead that will impact the Lakers one way or another. The leaked list of teams might be a message to Los Angeles to venture into uncomfortable territory and really shake up its roster if they want Butler — or it could be a damaging repudiation of how the Lakers have done business in recent years, with LeBron in the twilight of his 22-year career.