The 2018-19 NBA season got a lot more interesting yesterday when it was revealed that Jimmy Butler had handed in a trade request to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Following his trade request, reports also stated three teams which the point guard sees as preferred destinations in any trade talks; the Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, and the New York Knicks.

One team that was absent from that list which many thought would be included though was the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers have enough space in their salary cap to acquire another star player in free agency next summer. Plus playing alongside LeBron James is a huge lure for many players.

Not for Butler though.

According to a report from Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Butler wants to be the centerpiece of any franchise he moves to, which would have included the Lakers earlier this offseason.

However, due to LeBron's arrival at the Lakers, the team is less appealing for the point guard who is in the prime of his career.

While some might think that players not wanting to play alongside James is outrageous, it's not as a rare opinion as some might think.

Reports earlier this offseason revealed that Kawhi Leonard doesn't value the Lakers has high as other teams for his own preferred destinations in free agency because he doesn't want the spotlight that comes with playing alongside the King.

Plus, it was only a year ago that while LeBron was with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kyrie Irving handed in a trade request as he wanted to be the focal point of a franchise, something which wouldn't happen alongside the four-time MVP winner.

While Butler has common ground with some players not wanting to play alongside LeBron, it's also strange that he doesn't want to do so because it would provide him with the best opportunity to win a championship.

Instead of LeBron, reports have stated that Butler would much rather team up with Kawhi at the Clippers if he leaves the Toronto Raptors.

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