Sixers managing partner and owner Josh Harris is both determined and optimistic that Jimmy Butler will remain with the team beyond this season, as he told USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt and The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
The Butler trade was made to give the franchise a third star alongside Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid and become a serious championship contender. It wouldn’t have happened unless the Sixers were convinced they could keep Butler, who can opt out of his contract this summer, in the long run.
“We’ve been saying since the summer we’ve been looking for another star and we felt we needed another shooter, a three-and-D wing, someone like Jimmy,” Harris told Zillgitt. “They’re hard to find at this elite level. We know who we have to get through to win the East. It’s obvious who it is. We think this is a piece we needed.”
While Butler became a major distraction around the Timberwolves, he’s been a model citizen since joining the Sixers. And Philadelphia anticipates that its gamble will pay off in the long run in the form of a multi-year contract.
“Our goal is to have elite talent under contract for a long time,” Harris told Charania. “That’s what we’re interested in.”
Both reporters offered insights into the trade discussions involving Butler. The Sixers eventually agreed to deal Dario Saric, Robert Covington, Jerryd Bayless and a future second-rounder for Butler and throw-in Justin Patton.
- The Timberwolves initially asked for another starter in addition to the trio the Sixers dealt, according to Zillgitt.
- Minnesota narrowed its offers to three teams, with the Pelicans and Rockets being the other finalists, according to Charania. New Orleans dangled forward Nikola Mirotic and a first-round pick, while Houston was willing to part with guard Eric Gordon and two first-rounders.
- The Sixers initially offered draft picks and other large contracts, Harris told Charania. Markelle Fultz was discussed in the Butler talks.
- Other suitors, such as the Lakers, wanted to wait until the December 15th date when signed free agents could be included in a deal for Butler, Charania added.
Simmons isnt a start. He is a good player not great. Embiid and butler are the only true pieces to build around and butler hasnt said he will stay.
Star*
He’s a 2nd year player. His rookie season he was 11th in VORP, 18th in BPM, 18th in Win Shares. As a Rookie. His #s are down this year, we’ll see how it pans out. What about the GOAT his Rookie year? Not in the Top-20 in any of those categories. Just put down your haterade…
Cant shoot and shrinks against quality teams. Please sit down chief.
Simmons is already a star, & he will be a superstar, regardless of what you say or think, the numbers don’t lie, his rookie season was better than Magic Johnson & that is a fact. This season, at the moment has struggled a bit, so did at the beginning of last year, but his numbers are almost identical to last years, so he can only get better as the season goes on. Other sophomores like Mitchell & Jackson so far are doing clear steps back unlike Simmons.
That’s because those categories didn’t exist in Jordan’s rookie year.
The deeper they go into the playoffs the more likely he is to stay. You can offer him that extra year, and he’s all bout that money.
I think they could make a couple other moves and basically guarantee a spot.
Come late January, Kevin Love is eligible to be traded. If he is back from injury, this is a move I’d make. You’ve got a guy that has shot 40% from 3 and is the best Stretch Big outside of Dirk the last few years. The move involves Muscala, Chandler, Johnson, and McConnell.
So you’re looking at bringing in some guys off the street like Ajinca who could be ready by mid Jan. Emeka Okafor. Tony Allen, Arron Afflalo, Corey Brewer, Jameer Nelson, Mario Chalmers, Ramon Sessions, Mo Buckets. Guys to fill out the roster, give you 5-10 minutes a night.
You’ll have to a little lucky again on the BO market as well. ZBO, Ariza, Kanter, Vucevic, Melo, Korver, all potential for the BO.
I’ve seen floating rumors of D’Angelo Russell straight up for Markelle Fultz. While I loved Russell coming out of college, and HATED the league for gifting him to the Lakers (we all know they did, the lottery is rigged I won’t be told otherwise). But, Russell is in a contract year, I honestly cannot give up Fultz for a rental b/c I need his play on this roster or his salary for a future matching deal.
The guys on the BO market are the ones I’d see playing a more significant role like 18-20 mpg
jimmys getting maxed – philly or 10 other teams waiting with open arms.
Philly took the risk, they will get to reward the most $. No reason for Butler to turn them down.
Plus bird rights help with going over the cap.
They should be confident. Unless for some reason they decide not to max him or a problem occurs with the organization or his teammates, I can’t imagine he wouldn’t sign. I doubt the decision goes past July 1st. I believe his cap hold is less than his max, so Philly might wait to put the papers in if they’re pursuing other FAs, but Butler should be considered off the market until there’s evidence otherwise.
Jimmy is a selfish dude. He is only out for himself. You can’t put any stock into a guy like this, or trust him. He will tell you he’s staying, one minute, and then someone else will come along with more money and he’ll be gone.