Vincent Frank
We have absolutely no idea if six-time All-Star wing Jimmy Butler will be traded by the Miami Heat this summer. Butler, 34, has noted multiple times that he’d like to remain in South Beach.
However, there has been somewhat of a rift between Butler and Heat front office head Pat Riley after their first-round exit in the NBA Playoffs. In fact, Riley just recently called Butler out.
All of this comes less than a calendar year after Butler led Miami to a surprise trip to the NBA Finals. Right now, the team is stuck between bottom-end playoff contention and irrelevance. Hence, why Butler’s future is in question.
We’re now hearing a bit more on this. According to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer, the 76ers are preparing to offer Butler a max contract if they are able to acquire the star from Miami.
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Philadelphia 76ers interest in Jimmy Butler is real
Also coming off a first-round exit in the NBA Playoffs, reports indicate that Philadelphia is looking to upgrade the wing position.
Front office head Daryl Morey and Co. have been linked to several wings over the past few weeks. That includes LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George. Both are expected to opt out of their contracts and become free agents.
Of the two, George seems to be the most-realistic target. It seems as if King James will ultimately re-sign with the Lakers.
As for Butler, he would not necessarily be a bad fall-back option. The three-and-D wing has proven to be among the best in the game.
- Jimmy Butler stats (2023-24): 20.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 5.0 APG, 50% shooting
As for a potential max contract, it would be risky for Philadelphia. Butler is set to turn 35 before the 2024-25 NBA season. He has nnot played in more than 65 games since the 2016-17 season with the Chicago Bulls.
Interestingly enough, Butler did play 55 games for the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2018-19 season. There is obviously a relationship here.
