NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Philadelphia 76ers are in the hunt for a top-tier talent and it appears many would like them to be reunited with Jimmy Butler.
Of all the talent in the league, the best fans can come up with is Jimmy? He’s a good player but does he move the needle for the 76ers to get them over the Eastern Conference obstacles that are the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and possibly the Indiana Pacers? No.
If this was 3-4 seasons ago, they should push hard for it. But the Jimmy Butler they are thinking of and the Butler that’s out there, are two different players. For starters, he has not played more than 65 games in a seaosn since 2016 and he’s missed important playoff time with various injuries. Then, in order for Daryl Morey to add him to the roster this offseason, the Philadelphia 76ers would have to move assets and then pay Butler what many believe will have to be a max contract. Why?
He’s on the wrong side of 34. His game, while still effective is not what it was just 2 seasons ago when he led the Miami Heat to the NBA Finals. That Butler is gone. And why would the Philadelphia 76ers go that route when they can sign Paul George straight up and not give away any assets in which they can use to add more talent? It makes no sense no matter how anyone tries to spin it.
Is Jimmy Butler A Fit With The Philadelphia 76ers
Forget the fact that Butler and Joel Embiid are still friends. Hell, Embiid and Harden were once cool. So was Joel and Ben Simmons, and the same goes for James Harden. We saw how those prior tandems turned out. Maybe they can see each other at the All-Star game somewhere but not on the same court wearing the same uniform. This can’t happen.
Morey did some Howie Roseman-like moves and opened the door for the team to have a great offseason and this move will set them back. Jimmy Butler for 60 games does not spell a Finals appearance. The East is getting younger and faster and this move will make the 76ers more of a halfcourt team and possibly slow the process of Tyrese Maxey.
This season, he proved how effective he could be with the ball in his hands and once you add Butler, who is another ball-dominating player, there could be problems. Let’s think back to Butler and Simmons. This could be that all over again.
Philly fans are all in on this move because they still have visions of that dramatic Game 7 Kawhi Leonard shot that changed everything. The 2024 version of Jimmy Butler is not the same Jimmy from that run. Morey, please don’t fall for the bananas in the tailpipe dream. Hell, Pat Riley is not even sure he wants Jimmy Butler back and if he does, he damn sure doesn’t want him back as a max player. So why should the Philadelphia 76ers?
