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The Los Angeles Lakers are looking for someone to step into the shoes of the retired Kobe Bryant and Jimmy Butler could be that guy. The only problem is that the Chicago Bulls don’t seem inclined to deal off the scoring swingman.

While stranger things have happened even if teams announce that they will cling on to a certain player, there are exceptions. A clear example is the case of DeMarcus Cousins who many thought would be signing a long-term deal. The only difference with Butler is that the 27-year-old already has a contract in his hands. The deal involving Jimmy Butler would be a multi-player transaction.

According to NBC Chicago, as bared by Lakers Nation, Los Angeles would send Lou Williams, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle for Butler and Michael Carter-Williams. With a recent shakeup at the helm for the Lakers which now sees Magic Johnson as the president of basketball operations, it remains to be seen if things will change up. Clarkson and Randle were previously seen as pawns of the Lakers future, but the recent developments could steer the Lakers into a different direction.

Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak are no longer calling the shots after getting relieved by the president and co-owner Jeanie Buss today. On the part of the Bulls, Chicago has once again reiterated that Jimmy Butler is off the trade table, CBS Sports reported. Aside from the Lakers, the Boston Celtics have been linked to the swingman as teams frantically scamper before the NBA trade deadline set for Thursday, Feb. 23.

When pressed to comment, Butler admits he doesn’t control what the Bulls would decide as far as an NBA trade is concerned but reiterated his preference to stay in Chicago. But as mentioned earlier, the Cousins surprise deal only proves that anything can happen in the next couple of days.