Jimmy Butler Trade Rumors: Carmelo Anthony teases potential big three with stunning move to Lakers

Carmelo Anthony believed the LA Lakers was the right landing spot for Jimmy Butler. The former Laker and sharpshooter weighed in on the Miami Heat superstar's troubled run speaking on the 7PM Brooklyn podcast. Anthony believed that forming a 'Big 3' alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis would be a win-win for both LA and Butler.

When asked which team he would send the All-Star forward to if he did have a free pick, Anthony picked LA and he had his reasons.

"Right now? “I’m sending Jimmy to the Lakers’ best-fit Lakers. You got a veteran team, you got veteran guys on your team. Bron knows how to f*** with you he know what you gonna bring to the team. They need defense, you could bring that, you bring toughness and you can go get it. Bron don’t want to have to keep going and get it all. Like AD is going out there doing what he’s doing. You put Jimmy alongside!”

[Starts 1:15:24 onwards]

While the Lakers have been mentioned in trade rumors surrounding Butler, the 6x All-Star has been connected to the Phoenix Suns. Anthony also added that the Suns were a suitable destination as they were devoid of the skillset Jimmy Butler would add to their fold.

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Jimmy Butler expected to link up with Heat amid trade talks

Earlier, the Miami Heat suspended Jimmy Butler for conduct detrimental to the team after the wing made it clear publicly that he would want to be traded. The seven-game suspension runs through Miami's road trip on Jan. 15 against the LA Lakers.

Per Miami Herald's Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang, the expectation is that Butler will rejoin the team when he finishes his suspension. To date, the Heat have not been given a solid offer for the veteran, who is in the final year of his contract. Butler has a player option for next season worth $52.4 million, but he intends to opt out of it to earn a new extension.

Butler averages 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists this season and is still looked at as one of the more versatile wings in the league.

Whether he joins the Lakers remains debatable, but until the Heat receive an offer that would give them the expected compensation, Jimmy Butler will remain in Miami amid all the drama that's unfolded over the last few days.