Trade Market? Yeah, that’s the NBA’s hottest spot right now. Many big fishes of the league are about to brace the stage in the hope of finding the best-fit player for their teams. Well, stars like Jimmy Butler, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Zach LaVine are about to become headlines in the bidding wars. But, there could be a massive twist in the plot, and one of the Brooklyn Nets players is finding himself in the spotlight.

NBA insiders Tim MacMahon and Brian Windhorst talked about the heating trade scenes. On The Hoop Collective podcast, MacMahon shared what he got to know from one of the GMs of the league. The insider gave a surprise answer to Windy’s question: “Who’s the best player you think gets traded before the deadline?”

“The answer that he came to after thinking about it for a little bit was Cam Johnson.” Yes, the Brooklyn Nets power forward has been quite a name lately, especially with the LA Lakers eyeing him for a trade, the 28-year-old could be the biggest trade story before the deadline. MacMahon added: “The point is, it wasn’t Jimmy Butler.”

It is truly surprising to know that Jimmy Butler’s name isn’t making a lot of noise in the bidding wars. The 35YO superstar is currently playing without an extension at the Miami Heat. “It wasn’t Cam Johnson’s making in the low 20s. That’s a deal you can move. Wasn’t Zach LaVine. It wasn’t a $35, $40 million deal,” MacMahon added. “It was a guy who’s, like you said, by NBA standards a middle-class salary.”

Cam Johnson is making $22.5 million for the 2024-25 NBA season. Meanwhile, the Nets have signed him to a $94.5 million, 4-year contract. On the other hand, Jimmy Butler is making $48 million in the ongoing season, therefore acquiring Johnson could be easier than Butler, simply because of their valuation.

At the same time, rumors suggest that Rob Pelinka has kept the Heat forward Jimmy Butler on his radar. Well, he has to because Cam Johnson recently shared he wants to be with the Nets. But the question is will the Nets keep him? Moreover, can the Lakers close in on acquiring Jimmy?

Jimmy Butler might have his final chance for the Championship with the Lakers

On one hand, where Cam Johnson openly expressed his loyalty and eagerness to stay in Brooklyn, Jimmy Butler’s scenes in Miami are slightly tricky. The Miami Heat are still deciding Butler’s fate. If he turns down his $52.4 million player option, he’ll hit free agency. And that’s likely what he’ll do. Instead of letting him walk for nothing after failed extension talks, the Heat could trade him. Why not grab some future assets while they can?

A 35-year-old with a history of injuries chasing a max extension? Tough ask. But hey, Butler could be just the spark the Lakers need to light up their championship dreams. So, if not Cam Johnson, then why not Jimmy Butler? The Lakers have a brilliant chance to shake up their roster with this blockbuster. At this point, Rob Pelinka has a hawk’s eye fixed on the trade market to find the perfect match for LeBron James & Co. And if he succeeds in getting Jimmy Butler, nothing could be better than that!

The trade market is heating up, and surprises are brewing. While Cam Johnson’s name has emerged as a hot commodity, the Lakers might just make a bigger splash with Jimmy Butler. The Heat face a tough decision, and if they trade Butler, it could change the entire playoff picture. With LeBron and the Lakers eyeing that final championship push, Butler could be the missing piece. The clock is ticking—who will make the boldest move?