Nearly two months after publicly requesting a trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jimmy Butler finally got his wish. And it’s the first major shakeup of the 2018-19 season.
The Wolves agreed to send Butler, along with 2017 first-round draft pick Justin Patton, to the Philadelphia 76ers, in exchange for Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Jerryd Bayless, and a 2022 second-round draft pick.
Minnesota has traded Jimmy Butler and Justin Patton to Philadelphia for Robert, Covington, Dario Saric and a 2022 second-round draft pick, league sources tell me and @JonKrawczynski.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 10, 2018
It’s hard not to like this deal for either side. Butler was disgruntled and ready to go, and Minnesota still managed to land two very good players who fit the timeline of Karl-Anthony Towns in return.
And Philly gets a bonafide superstar to complement Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, giving them a deadly trio that should make them contenders in the East for many years to come. Butler will be a free agent at year’s end, but the Sixers reportedly made the deal with an understanding that he would be extended, thus setting up their future.
Jimmy Butler and the Sixers fully expect to reach a deal on a long-term contract this summer, league sources tell ESPN. Sixers made deal with plans to add Butler to a Big Three with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 10, 2018
This is an exciting move for the NBA, and certainly one that is relevant to the Golden State Warriors. For a while, it seemed as though Butler may be headed to the Houston Rockets, which could have set the table for an epic playoff series.
But instead he’s headed to Philly, where the 76ers now have a chance to be elevated into the East’s elite. If the Warriors can keep making the NBA Finals for the next few years, it seems more than likely that they’ll run into the Sixers eventually. And that sure would be fun.
Poll
Which Eastern Conference team is the hardest out for the Warriors?
This poll is closed
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27%
Boston Celtics
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35%
Milwaukee Bucks
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7%
Philadelphia 76ers
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29%
Toronto Raptors