The Los Angeles Lakers might be willing to pay max money for the service of Chicago Bulls shooting guard Jimmy Butler and Detroit Pistons power forward Greg Monroe, according to USA Today NBA analyst Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgist.
The Lakers are expected to go 'all in' next summer in their attempt to get back to title contention after several years of futility. With multiple contracts expiring at the end of the season, Los Angeles is going to have roughly $35 million in cap space to sign one or two top-flight players next summer.
Upgrading the point guard and center position is expected to be on top of priority list for general manager Mitch Kupchak and the Lakers front-office team, with Goran Dragic of Phoenix Suns, Reggie Jackson of Oklahoma City Thunder, Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics, and Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies emerging as primary targets for the purple-and-gold.
However, Zillgist and Amick believe the Lakers will also make a hard push for Butler and Monroe, who are both racking up excellent numbers in the final year of their respective rookie contracts.
The 24-year old Butler has already established as the runaway favorite for the Most Improved Player of the Year award after making a big leap towards becoming one of the finest two-way players in the league.
Known the past two seasons as an excellent perimeter defender, the former Marquette standout showed a different dimension in his game this season, as he blossomed into a reliable offensive player. Butler is averaging 20.6 points and 6.0 rebounds in 39 minutes per game, while shooting 46 percent from the field and 34 percent from the three-point line.
The USA Today writers really think the Lakers are very much intrigued by Butler's transformation into a full-fledged star to the point that they may field a max offer sheet for the soon-to-be restricted free-agent.
"A strong perimeter defender, Butler has blossomed into the Bulls' best offensive player and an All-Star, averaging 20.6 points. Teams are going to offer a max deal (hello, Los Angeles Lakers), and the Bulls would be hard-pressed not to match," via USA Today.
Aside from Butler, Monroe is another talented young player the Lakers will likely pursue next offseason. In fact, the Lakers were rumored to have already made an inquiry about acquiring Monroe and point guard Brandon Jennings via trade, though the Pistons have no intentions of parting ways with either of their core players.
Despite foregoing the opportunity of signing a four-year, $54 million deal last offseason, Monroe's sacrifice is paying off as his strong play (15 points and 10 rebounds per game) could turn into a more lucrative deal. According to Zillgist, Monroe could command a near-max contract that pays him at least $15M per season.
"Whether Monroe gets a true max or not, he's going to receive a lucrative deal, and the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks are among the possible suitors," according to USA Today.
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