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There has been concern in Philadelphia that star small forward Jimmy Butler will decline his 2019-20 player option and become an unrestricted free agent following the season.
However, according to Keith Pompey of the Philly Inquirer, Butler's agent has shot down those rumors.
With #NBA trade deadline 2 days away & @JimmyButler’s name constantly being mentioned, I asked his agent, Bernie Lee, about Butler’s thoughts about remaining a #Sixer: “ Jimmy is as committed today as he was the day he got traded here as being a part of a championship team….
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) February 5, 2019
… He looks forward to it being built with him and around him.” https://t.co/AzKiHV9M28
— Keith Pompey (@PompeyOnSixers) February 5, 2019
This statement from Lee comes as trade speculation surrounding Butler has intensified. The 29-year-old hasn't quite gelled with the Sixers since coming over from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a November blockbuster.
In January, ESPN reported that Butler had been butting heads with Sixers coach Brett Brown regarding his usage on office.
But now, according to agent Bruce Lee, Butler is locked in with Philadelphia. And he wants to lead the team to a championship.
This news came after a whirlwind of drama at the end of Butler's time in Minnesota. Upon his return to the team in October, he made headlines for yelling at GM Scott Layden at practice.
Near the end of his Minnesota tenure, Butler was sitting out games in an attempt to force a trade, according to SB Nation.
This led to the eventual November 12 trade of Butler to the Sixers. Philadelphia gave up a haul to acquire Butler and Justin Patton: Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Jerryd Bayless and a 2022 second-round pick. At the time, the Sixers expected to be able to extend Butler before he reached free agency.
The Sixers currently hold the fifth seed in the competitive Eastern Conference. According to ESPN's BPI Playoff Odds, the team has a greater than 99.9% chance of making the playoffs but only a 1.3% chance of winning the championship.
In 31 games with Philadelphia, Butler has averaged 18.9 points, 3.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds.
He has also posted a career-high .481 field goal percentage.
