Jimmy Butler's escape from the Minnesota Timberwolves brought along a bevy of questions after he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, a team that wasn't initially on his shortlist of preferred destinations.
Butler's camp had Miami, Los Angeles, and New York as his favorite landing spots, but as it turned out, Sixers GM Elton Brand spoke with Butler and his agent on the possibility he would re-sign with Philly if they were to trade for him.
Brand has also been in touch with Butler's camp after the trade, to ensure his line of thought was still on the same course, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
As far as the 76ers' two-way star sees it, his stay will hinge on how far the team can go now.
“We know how important every single day is and we know what we’re expected to do,” said Butler. “We’re expected to win and perform at a very high clip — just like these other teams out East. We know why we were brought together. But we can’t skip over no games and skip over no days.”
Butler was already coming to the 76ers with a reputation for being an explosive, and at times combative competitor — one that hasn't gone away after his back-and-forth with coach Brett Brown, which both parties turned down as anything else other than an animated conversation.
“If we’re winning, it’s cool,” Butler said. “If not, I might have something to say. I might have a lot to say to people. I’m going to speak up, speak my mind.”
“Have I learned anything about myself in the league? I learned about myself a long time ago. That I belong here and I’m a really good player. Guys around the league respect me just like I respect other guys. That’s why you play the game. I don’t do it for the fame. I don’t do it for the money. I do it so every time you go up against somebody, they got to dap you and be like, ‘It’s going to be a battle tonight.’”
“No matter what team I’m on, the league knows that. The players know that. To me, talk is cheap. You just have to go out there and do what you’re supposed to do.”
The 76ers will have to decide if they keep Butler or another newcomer in Tobias Harris; or both, as the two soon-to-be free agents could make as much as a five-year, $188 million deal with the team, respectively.
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