Just when you thought the Sixers completely avoided the Jimmy Butler saga, here we are.
In his season predictions, Zach Lowe of ESPN had this interesting nugget on Butler and the Sixers.
Philly would be a different story, and Butler has eyes for them, sources familiar with the matter say. The Sixers have expressed almost no interest in trading for him, sources say.
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Thanks but no thanks, Jimmy.
I’ve written more than once on our site about why the Sixers shouldn’t have interest in Butler. They clearly need a difference-making wing, but Butler is not an elite three-point shooter, plays a ton in isolation and will be 30 years old when his next contract kicks in. None of that fits what the team is looking for.
There were reports that the Timberwolves asked for Ben Simmons in a trade for Butler, which is laughable. Butler is a great basketball player, but at 22, we’ve only scratched the surface of what Simmons can be.
Plus … have you seen the crap that Butler has pulled recently? Minnesota actually canceled a practice and media availability for a day because of Butler. Is that the type of influence you want on Simmons, Joel Embiid and Markelle Fultz? Even if Butler wouldn't pull the same stuff here, keep in mind that he did also have issues with Derrick Rose in Chicago. Drama has seemed to follow him.
NBA
I get the Sixers are looking for that one more star that can push them over the top, but Butler is not that guy. Would he make the team better right away? For sure, but unless Minnesota is giving him away — they’re not — I’m not interested.
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