The majority of the free agents on the open market won’t know what the future holds until LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony decide where they’ll be playing next season.
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One of those players awaiting his fate in free agency is veteran forward Caron Butler. According to Sam Amick of USA Today, Butler is receiving interest from three teams:
According to a person with knowledge of his situation, Butler has serious interest from the respective conference champions, the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat, as well as the rebuilding Los Angeles Lakers. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of free agency talks.
Back in 2004, the Lakers acquired Butler as a part of the blockbuster trade that sent Shaquille O’Neal to the Miami Heat. Butler joined Lamar Odom and Brian Grant in Los Angeles, but didn’t stick around for long with the Lakers trading Butler to the Washington Wizards in 2005.
Butler has bounced around the league ever since being traded by the Lakers playing for the Wizards, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks and Oklahoma City Thunder.
At 34, Butler might have to settle for the veteran’s minimum which would work in the Lakers’ favor. Although Butler seemed to enjoy his time in Los Angeles, becoming close friends with Kobe Bryant in the process, the veteran will have an opportunity to contend immediately in Miami or San Antonio.
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Once the dust settles following LeBron and Carmelo’s decision, Butler could be a veteran that ultimately lands in Los Angeles, but it might be hard to pass up on returning to Miami or playing for the defending champs.
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