The Jimmy Butler saga is over. The Minnesota Timberwolves finally pulled the trigger on a trade for the disgruntled star, agreeing to send him to the Philadelphia 76ers for Robert Covington, Dario Saric and a future second-round pick. The Sixers are taking a gamble by acquiring Butler and looking to extend him, but this is, in fact, a star-driven league. Butler joins the star duo of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons to complete the Sixers' hunt for a legitimate Big Three.
Given Butler's history of clashing with teammates, and the situation he is going into, will things work out in Philadelphia? Will he eventually have beef with the team's young franchise guys in Embiid and Simmons?
No doubt, Butler is one of the best players in the league right now, and his arrival to a young Sixers squad raises their ceiling. However, the four-time All-Star left trails of turmoil in both Chicago and Minnesota thanks to him calling out his younger teammates on numerous occasions. Moreover, the way he handled his situation in Minnesota further magnified his questionable leadership style and raised many red flags on how he goes about his business.
Now that he joins two up-and-coming young stars in Embiid and Simmons, one has to wonder if he will be bringing the same baggage that ended his tenures with his former teams on a sour note. His history certainly warrants that notion.
As mentioned, Butler's issues in Chicago and Minnesota were due to his criticism of his younger teammates. Embiid and Simmons, however, are different beasts from those other players he lambasted before. These two are brash, confident, and play with a swagger that shows they are fully aware of their places as budding stars in the NBA.
While the situation may be familiar, there are still some differences with the situation Butler is going into now with the Sixers than what he entered into with Minnesota. The Timberwolves brought Butler in to be the team's transitional star while Towns and Wiggins developed over the years. Eventually, he was supposed to become a second fiddle once one of the two were ready to be the top dog.
However, with the Sixers, it's still unclear if he will have that same role. Butler wants to be the alpha dog, but he's already joining a team with a low-key issue on whose team it is. He only adds more matches to that little burning matter. That could be a cause of concern moving forward if Butler butts heads with Embiid or Simmons in that department.
What's sure, though, is that Butler will more than likely be tasked with becoming the team's closer since this has been a problem for the Sixers. Simmons' inability and unwillingness to shoot makes him predictable in late-game situations. Embiid, on the other hand, can't be relied upon consistently in those situations since he operates best on the block. Butler gives them that guy who can both create his own shot and make plays for others.
Butler is also very outspoken and will tell you how he really feels. In Minnesota, he was able to say and do whatever he wanted and didn't hear a word from either Towns or Wiggins. The two are very subdued and just took whatever blow they get from their disgruntled teammate.
However, Butler won't get that in Philadelphia. These two aren't pushovers. Embiid is cut from the same cloth as Butler and will not hesitate to speak his mind. Moreover, he is one of the most notorious trash talkers in the league on and off the court. Simmons isn't one to stay quiet, either.
All the ingredients are there for a combustion of some sorts. However, it still remains to be seen if Butler will eventually clash heads with the Sixers' budding superstar duo. If they find ways to win and become the team to beat in the East, it will be hard for Butler to start whatever conundrum he has started in his previous stints.
Winning usually changes everything. The more wins, the less beef.
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