The Miami Heat great asserts he would have defeated the New York Knicks, just as the Jimmy Butler to Philadelphia 76ers smoke is being created. After losing Game 6 to the New York Knicks on Thursday night, the Philadelphia 76ers had an early start to the 2024 summer because the Knicks will be the team to go to the second round instead of Philly.
The Sixers have already been connected to a number of possible free agents and trade possibilities as their summer of draft capital and cap flexibility gets begun. One player to keep an eye on is Miami Heat All-Star Jimmy Butler, as David Aldridge of The Athletic has raised rumors of a possible reunion between the Sixers and Butler.
Why is there smoke?
To be clear, the Sixers have not yet reportedly expressed interest in their former trade acquisition, Jimmy Butler, and there has not been a trade request made to Miami. However, there have been indications recently that Butler would prefer a brief extension, and Miami would be reluctant to grant that request.
Jimmy Butler has shown us in the past that where there is smoke, there probably is fire. Additionally, Butler was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Philadelphia 76ers the last time he genuinely desired a change.
Aldridge says that in order to help Joel Embiid and the Sixers get beyond the postseason hump, the guy who practically got away should return to South Philadelphia.
“With Joel Embiid’s knees not getting any younger, the Sixers should look at engineering a reunion with Butler, who played one season here (2018-19) before forcing a trade to the Heat, where he’s led Miami to two NBA Finals appearances and a conference final in five seasons. There are signs — subtle ones, because it’s Miami — that era could be nearing a tipping point.”
Jimmy Butler Goes Viral On Social Media
The veteran great demonstrates his zeal for an organization once again, just as the Butler-Philly rivalry heats up at the beginning of the summer.
The Miami Heat star boldly discussed how his presence would have altered the Eastern Conference Playoff picture and ensured that the Heat and Sixers’ opponents in the first round would have been at home when the second round began, all the while encouraging a cameraman to keep filming while out and about. Butler claimed,
“If I was playing, Boston would be at home,” “New York DAMN sure would be at home … Josh Hart? Come on, man. I love [Tom Thibodeau]. Thhibs, I love you, baby. I wanna beat you to a pulp. You want me, I don’t want you. It’s like a one-sided relationship. You in love with me, and I love you! But I’m not in love with you. You know what I’m saying?”
Playoffs Jimmy Butler is not the same player as he was during the regular season. Butler and the Heat had one of the most surprising postseason runs the previous year; starting as the eighth seed in the bracket, they defeated the second-seeded Boston Celtics, the fifth-seeded New York Knicks, and the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals.
They were stopped just short of their goal in the 2023 NBA Finals, falling to Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.
What comes next for Butler and Miami is unknown. The Sixers, who anticipate making some significant roster changes this summer, are comparable in this regard.