Recent rumors are out that the Los Angeles Lakers could trade sophomore point guard D'Angelo Russell and their no. 2 overall pick in this year's draft to the Chicago Bulls for All-Star shooting guard Jimmy Butler.

The rumors of an impending Butler or Derrick Rose trade for the Bulls this offseason has been ongoing since the completion of the draft order in the coming 2016 NBA Draft this June as both players are linked to the first two picks currently held by the Philadelphia 76ers and Lakers.

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There were speculations last week that Rose could be traded for the Sixers' top selection and this week, it was Butler's turn to be connected to LA's no. 2 pick.

CSN Chicago's Mark Schanowski predicted several trade scenarios that Chicago could pull off this summer with either the Lakers or Sixers and one of them is sending Butler to Los Angeles for Russell and the second overall selection.

Schanowski said that in the same way that Philadelphia wants to add veteran players as they are also loaded with young ones, "Mitch Kupchak has seen the pitfalls of trying to build a team around mercurial young talent". He also said that acquiring Butler could make the Lakers highly attractive to other big-name free agents, such as Kevin Durant or Hassan Whiteside, which could help the team expedite their rebuilding efforts.

"Would the Lakers deal the No.2 overall pick and controversial young guard D'Angelo Russell (last year's No. 2 overall pick) for Butler?" Schanowski said. "The Lakers need to add an established player like Butler to possibly attract one of the premier free agents this summer, who otherwise wouldn't be interested in joining a rebuilding team with a flock of young players like Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and Larry Nance, Jr."

Actually, suggestions of a Butler-Russell trade were already brought up as early as last month immediately after the conclusion of the recent regular season as Chicago failed to advance in the playoffs.

Fansided recommended sending Butler and reserve power forward Cameron Bairstow to Los Angeles for Russell and the then unknown 2016 first-round draft pick of the Lakers plus cash considerations. 

TagsLakers Trade Rumors, NBA Trade Rumors, NBA Trade Rumors 2016, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, Jimmy Butler, D'Angelo Russell