The Los Angeles Lakers could be entering (re-entering?) the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes now that the Miami Heat's asking price for Butler has reportedly lowered. Yahoo's Kevin O'Connor broke the Butler news on Tuesday morning.

At 26-18, the Lakers look like a threat in the West. But the specifics of how they're winning don't bode well for their postseason hopes.

According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN, the Miami Heat have lowered their asking price for Jimmy Butler.  Butler, who has requested a trade from

We're inching closer to the NBA trade deadline on Feb. 6, so of course the rumors are heating up around the league. The center of attention is obviously Jimmy Butler who was recently suspended for two games by the Miami Heat.

Butler was said to be “caught off guard” by the comments according to Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald. There have been many events that have led to the fractured relationship between Butler and the Heat with the one mentioned by Haynes being when the team questioned the effort level.

The Miami Heat indefinitely suspended Jimmy Butler on Monday after the disgruntled forward walked out of a practice session, reportedly when he was told he would be coming off the bench for the NBA team.

Teams are entering the NBA trade deadline with the idea of adjusting their cap situations, while rumors and intel about Jimmy Butler form.

The Los Angeles Lakers (24-18) are in the middle of a crowded West ... That has them “lurking” around a Jimmy Butler trade — even through he said he doesn’t want to go there because they will not pay him his next contract — and other deals.

Jimmy Butler is expected to play for Miami again Friday when it hosts the Denver Nuggets, a game that would be his first since the Heat confirmed that he wants a trade and that they are trying to accommodate that request.

The NBA trade deadline is not until Feb. 6, but the buzz around notable players and teams is building up. Keep an eye on players such as Jimmy Butler, Zion Williamson and Zach LaVine, who'll be linked to possible trades. One team to watch is the Phoenix Suns, who have stayed busy in January, making two trades while remaining in the mix for Butler.

Jimmy Butler walked out of a Miami Heat shootaround after being told he would lose a spot in the starting lineup amid a standoff with the team