The Los Angeles Lakers have no intention of acquiring Jimmy Butler or Jonathan Kuminga in a potential trade for LeBron James, sources told Lakers Daily. The Golden State Warriors have reportedly explored deals for James on multiple occasions, according to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.
Any move to Golden State would require James, 40, to waive his no-trade clause, which he has not requested and has no intention of doing, sources added. The Lakers’ star is set to earn $52.6 million in the final year of his contract next season.
Butler, whose 2025 salary is $54.1 million, would need to be moved by Golden State to match salaries for a trade. The Lakers have zero interest in him, sources said. Similarly, the Lakers are not pursuing Kuminga, a restricted free agent.
A sign-and-trade involving Kuminga and James could theoretically occur, but the Lakers remain uninterested in the forward. James, a four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP, joined the Lakers in 2018 and led them to the 2020 championship.
Los Angeles also reached the 2023 conference finals but fell to the Denver Nuggets in four games. James averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game in the 2024–25 season.
Butler, now with Golden State, averaged 17.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists through 30 games this past season. Kuminga contributed 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest in 47 games.
The Lakers’ stance makes a LeBron-to-Warriors swap highly unlikely, as acquiring either player would not fit Los Angeles’ current roster or salary strategy. James’ career shows sustained production despite age, reinforcing the Lakers’ decision to retain him.
