It appears the options are flying off the board for the Sixers in a hurry.
Former Sixer Jimmy Butler will reportedly not seek a trade this offseason despite not yet coming to an agreement on a max extension with the Miami Heat. ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst discussed Butler’s situation on The Pat McAfee show Wednesday.
“From what I understand Jimmy Butler plans to be back with the Miami Heat next year even if there’s no extension..
There’s teams that have definitely asked if he’s looking to get out and he’s said I’m good in Miami”@WindhorstESPN #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/4vdZQjAbh0
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 26, 2024
As Windy notes, Butler has a player option for the 2025-26 season, so he will be in a similar spot to James Harden last summer and Paul George right now. If he leads Miami on another deep playoff run, he could very well still cash in another big payday at age 35.
It’s also been reported that All-Star Bam Adebayo is planning to sign a three-year maximum extension with the Heat, locking in Butler’s primary running mate.
Butler never totally seemed like a realistic option, but with more clarity there, along with the increasing likelihood George doesn’t leave the West Coast, the options are getting slimmer for the Sixers.
The Sixers’ top trade candidate after the Knicks acquired Mikal Bridges from the Nets Tuesday night is likely the Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram. Several reports have mentioned New Orleans shopping the one-time All-Star and he has been linked to the Sixers. Beyond that, it feels like the Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen is a pipe dream — though there was no real sense Bridges would get moved either.
In free agency, it seems like OG Anunoby could still be in play despite reports suggesting that the Knicks would like to keep him, even after the Bridges trade. The Sixers have also been linked to the Nuggets’ Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Could Daryl Morey look to add Anunoby and KCP to give head coach Nick Nurse elite tools for his defensive schemes?
The are still lots of possibilities for the Sixers ahead of the NBA draft and the start of free agency, but it appears a Jimmy Butler reunion is not one of them.