The Philadelphia 76ers might have an opportunity on their hands after what ESPN’s Shams Charania reported today.
Charania reported that the Miami Heat may look to trade former Sixers forward Jimmy Butler, among other NBA intel.
“The Heat are open to listening to offers for Butler and making a deal if the proposal is right, league sources told ESPN,” Charania wrote.
He also added an extra detail that could make any interested suitor take caution in acquiring Butler.
“Teams have also been informed that Butler intends to opt out of his deal in the offseason and become a free agent, sources said. The Heat have hovered around the play-in tournament over the past two seasons, and with Butler’s contractual status, they have been open-minded to trade inquiries,” Charania concluded.
The Sixers could pounce on a reunion with Butler, especially because that’s what Joel Embiid wanted during the offseason. A straight-up swap trading Paul George for Butler works financially because George is making $49.2 million this season while Butler is making $48.8 million.
Miami likely won’t trade Butler for a rebuilding package, so if they want to stay relevant, George might be as good as they can get. The Sixers succeeded with Butler in 2019, and he has gone on the record talking about his friendship with Embiid.
The Sixers are not among Butler’s preferred destinations
Though Butler had good times with the Sixers, they aren’t among his preferred teams, according to Charania.
“Butler’s agent, Bernie Lee, has indicated in league circles that Butler is open to destinations such as two of the Texas teams (Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks) and the Golden State Warriors,” Charania wrote.
Though Butler is still friends with Embiid, he might not have been too happy that the Sixers chose not to re-sign him in 2019 after coming within inches of beating the team that went on to win the NBA title.
However, he does not have a say in where the Heat trade him. If the Sixers get him, that could perhaps make up for one of their biggest blunders in recent memory.
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