Getting Over It

Jimmy Butler is now a Philidelphia 76er. Yes, yes, the Jimmy drama is finally over and the North Star State can breathe a sigh of relief. In an odd turn of events, Jimmy and his former T-Wolves teammates said they did not have a problem with each other, and Andrew Wiggins went as far as to say that “Jimmy is the guy you want when it matters.” Wow, way to hold your ground, Drew. In all seriousness, I am happy if they actually did end Jimmy’s tenure in Minnesota on good terms, and I hope this trade works out for both clubs, and, it should.

T-Wolves

The Wolves actually got an alright deal here, and despite the outrage from a lot of NBA fans, proclaiming the stupidity of Scott Layden and Tom Thibideau for not accepting the Rockets offer of four first-round draft picks, this trade works out for them, for now. In exchange for Jimmy Butler, Justin Patton, and a second-round pick, the Wolves received Dario Šarić, Robert Covington, and Jerryd Bayless. Not a bad haul considering the situation they got themselves out of by trading Jimmy. Dario is a solid power forward averaging 10.9 PPG, 6.4 REB and 1.9 AST on 36% shooting. Not great considering last year, but also not terrible, as of right now, Dario will not be starting on a team already full of big men. Robert Covington is quite the success story, from the g-league to a big-time contract, to playing alongside KAT, one of the best sponges in the league. Covington was one of the NBA’s best spot up, and catch-and-shoot players in the league last year, and is also a solid defender. He is averaging 11.4 PPG, 5.3 REB, and 1.1 AST on 42% FG and 39% FG3. Jerryd Bayless is another good pickup, a fine shooter with just enough to spark the offense and provide a little push off the bench. For the people screaming about turning down four first-round picks, the Rockets are poised to be a pretty good team for at least another two years, and even if they are not fantastic, they will never be a bottom 15 team as long as James Harden and Chris Paul, or either of those players, are around. If the Timberwolves had taken those picks, they would be looking at the first two picks being at least after #20, and if even if the Rockets declined as Paul and Harden got older, the picks would still be past the #12-15.

Philidelphia 76ers

The Sixers obviously got a bigger end of the deal, with 4x All-Star Jimmy Butler coming to the City of Brotherly Love. Bringing Jimmy was a huge risk for the Sixers, as his five years, $92 million dollar deal is ending this summer, and his fifth year (2019-20) is a player option. Jimmy arrived and talks about an extension are already in motion, which is a promising sign for Sixers fans. Although this is absolutely a massive boost to this team, I do have questions.

• Should the Sixers be concerned about Jimmy’s age, and injury history?
• Is Jimmy really the kind of player the Sixers needed?
• Should we be concerned about the lack of a bench the Sixers have after losing two massively important impact players?
• Does the addition of Butler really change the outlook of the East?
• How does this affect Fultz?
• Is Patton going to stay? How will his broken foot factor into this situation?

We can sit around and speculate and yell at each other all we want but what’s the point if you’re not Steven A. Smith? I think this is going to be good for Jimmy and the Sixers, especially if Jimmy signs long term. I think Butler understands he is in a great situation, and I think he is ready to elevate himself and make sure he is a mentor for guys like Fultz and Shamet, and a reliable and solid teammate on and off the court for Embiid and Ben. I, just like the majority of the NBA am excited to see how this pans out for both parties.