The Sixers trade for Jimmy Butler wasn’t an inexpensive one. The trade as reported has Minnesota sending Jimmy Butler and Justin Patton to Philadelphia for Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Jerryd Bayless and a 2022 second-round draft.
It’s obvious the Sixers are living in the now. Prior to the Butler trade, the Sixers didn’t look like they were better than Toronto, Milwaukee or Boston. Heck, you could argue they weren’t as good as Indiana. Butler will provide another scorer but the question is how will he fit in the locker room.
Butler’s problem with Karl Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins are well documented. It seemed to be more of a disconnect in effort than personality. Effort from the Sixers two main players, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, isn’t an issue so don’t expect the same problems. Both Embiid and Simmons try to be two-way players, something Butler embraces.
A concern will the trade will be spacing. Covington spaced the floor and Saric had the ability to do the same. Yes, JJ Redick provides the same ability to space but he’s not going to play 48 minutes a night. With Markelle Fultz still searching for his perimeter shot, the question of whether the Sixers have enough spacing is legitimate. If they can’t space the floor, it will adversely effect Embiid.
Embiid has been head and shoulders their best player. He’s putting up numbers that border on being video game like. But a lot of that is predicated on the Sixers ability to space the floor. Can Butler provide enough perimeter shooting to keep doubles off of the big man?
Despite averaging a career lows in points per game (11.1) and shooting percentage, trading Saric is a gamble. The Sixers front office had to give the Timberwolves something. A lot of teams wouldn’t have the guts to make the move right now. More than likely, Minnesota preferred a player who could contribute immediately. If Saric gets out of his funk the decision to trade him might be one to regret especially if Butler walks after the season.
Saric and Covington ability to feel comfortable playing without the ball in their hands will also be missed. Coach Brett Brown will need to find ways to get Butler the ball in the offense’s natural action. Will that impact the Sixers established chemistry? If so, how will Embiid and Simmons adjust? There’s a risk beyond the question of whether the Sixers can re-sign Butler.
As soon as LeBron signed in Los Angeles, Boston was handed the Eastern Conference. But, Toronto acquired Kawhi Leonard. Indiana and Milwaukee have built around their success from last season. That left Philadelphia without the assurance that they were “next” especially by the “Trust the Process” truthers.
Philadelphia is gambling along side of Toronto that they can acquire a superstar and keep them. Oklahoma City and Paul George have given teams hope that trading for a superstar with an expiring deal isn’t a rental.
The Sixers are hoping Butler is not only the answer for today but also going forward. Only time will tell.
