Jimmy Butler has long been in the most awkward relationship in sports lately, basically showing up for work even though he hates everything about the organization that pays him. We’ve documented the story and dysfunction over the past couple months and, finally, we have a resolution.
That’s because, according to multiple sources, the Minnesota Timberwolves just sent Jimmy Butler to the Philadelphia 76ers, with Minny, reportedly, getting Robert Covington and Darko Saric in return, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Minnesota has agreed to a deal to send Jimmy Butler to Philadelphia for a package that includes Robert Covington and Dario Saric, league sources tell @ZachLowe_NBA and me.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 10, 2018
Minnesota will also trade Justin Patton and acquire a second round pick in the trade, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/oMXzL7oEen
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 10, 2018
In addition to the trade, Woj is reporting that the Sixers and Jimmy Butler will work on a long-term deal together, keeping a Big Three together that could compete for titles in the next few years.
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
Butler, a four-time All-Star, is averaging 21.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game so far, so his addition to the Sixers sure seems to make Philly a legit threat in the Eastern Conference again. The team has been struggling so far, looking for more shooters to put alongside young stars Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid.
As you might imagine, following the news, social media had a field day with the joy Jimmy Butler’s probably feeling right now. After all, rumors had been swirling about where the star might end up — with teams like the Houston Rockets coming to mind — but being moved to the Eastern Conference, and to a team like the Sixers, gives Butler a real chance at making an NBA Finals team.
Here are some of the A+ reactions on Twitter following the news.
https://twitter.com/PanthersT2001/status/1061317619985321985
https://twitter.com/jawnbrown/status/1061318324947247105
That Jimmy Butler trade pic.twitter.com/89Cn5MWtRk
— The Reese's Guy⁷ (@AndrewAthias) November 10, 2018
Source confirms Sixers have traded for Jimmy Butler!#HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/NRM8OtFLFx
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) November 10, 2018
"Jimmy Butler to Philly"
Houston After hearing the news #RunAsOne pic.twitter.com/W3G4SAmd8M
— I’m not even that person (@Fu_kyofeels) November 10, 2018
FINAL TRADE:
Philly gets: Jimmy Butler, Justin Patton
Minny gets: Dario, Covington, Bayless, 2nd rounder pic.twitter.com/TGzqnRJ89o
— drew (@sixersruinedme) November 10, 2018
Jimmy Butler has been traded to the Sixers
Warriors odds to win the NBA Finals:
Before trade: -250
After trade: -250 pic.twitter.com/lwan5AmYJy— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) November 10, 2018
While the trade does make the Sixers a more legit threat coming out of the East with three potential All-Stars in Jimmy Butler, Embiid and Simmons, does this trade close the gap between them and the Golden State Warriors? That’s something that’ll be fun AF to see, but here’s hoping someone, anyone, can challenge the back-to-back champs, because they’re making it look way too easy right now.