We Want Jimmy Butler, But Only At The Right Price
There is a new story out courtesy of Keith Pompey that states that if the Sixers add Jimmy Butler via a trade, they would be willing to sign him to a 2-year extension. Butler will be 35 in September and is on the final year of his deal.
An unhappy Butler wouldn’t make sense, so saying out loud that they would re-sign him makes sense. Pat Riley has publicly said that Jimmy should “keep his mouth shut” about the playoffs. He also said that he wouldn’t have a conversation with Jimmy about an extension for a year.
There is a chance Riley is just posturing, but he took a hard stance with Lebron James, it would not be shocking if he is done with Butler. Butler also could be done with him.
Jimmy Butler May Cost Too Much
I think everyone would take Butler on a 1-year deal, but the extension is where it gets tricky. Again, Butler will be 35 years old in September. Plus, there are possible free agents who are at least close to as good as Butler who could be attainable without parting with assets.
The Sixers lost to the Knicks, but being better than them is step 1 of like 10. Beating the Celtics & winning the title is the real goal.
Does trading for Butler help the Sixers reach that goal? Maybe. If they don’t have to part with much and are able to add another significant role player (Lauri Markkanen or Mikal Bridges) in another trade, then they would have a real chance.
If they trade too much for Butler, then that makes move B impossible. Embiid-Butler-Maxey would beat the Knicks and Pacers, but it would not beat the Celtics or whoever comes out of the west. That is the key here.
What The Sixers Should Do
The Sixers’ plan should be in order, Lebron James & then Paul George via free agency. Then a trade for Brandon Ingram, and then Butler. The Sixers can’t just run it back, and they can’t just “bolster the bench”. That won’t win the title. At the same time, they can’t overcommit to Jimmy Butler either.
The bottom line is, we should want Jimmy Butler here, at the right price.
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