Sixers could reunite with All-Star forward during the offseason
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler
The Philadelphia 76ers will enter the 2024 free-agency period with significant cap space. When James Harden requested a trade to begin the season, Daryl Morey prioritized getting a short-term contract back in return. He strategically positioned the franchise to be a player this summer.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Sixers could potentially move to reunite with Jimmy Butler.
“You don’t just have to use cap space on free agents, you can use it in trades,” Windhorst said during a spot on ESPN’s “Get Up.” “I think this is where Daryl Morey is gonna go to work. There’s gonna be a number of names that are gonna come up… but first name to watch is Jimmy Butler for the Miami Heat.”
Butler missed the Miami Heat’s first-round series against the Boston Celtics due to an MCL tear. He suffered the injury when facing the Philadelphia 76ers in the opening round of the play-in tournament on April 18. The six-time All-Star is only one season removed from being a driving force for the Heat as they charged their way into the NBA Finals.
Adding Butler would give the Sixers a star at every primary position. Joel Embiid is a perenniel MVP candidate and one of the most dominant centers in the league. Tyrese Maxey is an All-Star guard. And Butler is an elite forward. Philadelphia would enter next season as a genuine contender, second to only the Celtics.
However, Butler may be reluctant to leave Miami for a team that chose Tobias Harris over him back in 2019, which led to the veteran moving to South Beach. Butler may feel that Philadelphia had their chance for him to work alongside Embiid and made their decision. After all, he has tasted significant amounts of success with the Heat under HC Erik Spoelstra.
Whatever the Sixers decide to do this summer, they should have the cap space, coaching and talent to entice a number of elite talents and strengthen their roster in multiple spots. Assuming they can stay healthy, the Sixers will be a threat in the East moving forward.
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