As expected, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler was heavily booed by Sixers fans on Saturday in his return to Philadelphia.

Butler played 55 games for the Sixers last season after the team acquired him from the Minnesota Timberwolves. The four-time All-Star small forward got multiple standing ovations from the Philly crowd during the 2019 playoffs, but now he's on the Heat after choosing not to re-sign with Philly and the fans are letting Jimmy have it.

Article Continues Below
More Philadelphia 76ers News
76ers' Guerschon Yabusele surrounded by money
Ascending Western Conference squad named Guerschon Yabusele suitorAbdullah Imran ·
VJ Edgecombe and Johni Broome on the 76ers court
Philadelphia 76ers 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pickMatty Breisch ·
Philadelphia 76ers forward Justin Edwards (19) shoots the ball against the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center.
76ers sign breakout bench piece to 3-year contract extensionAbdullah Imran ·
Baylor Bears guard VJ Edgecombe (7) drives to the basket around Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Kevin Overton (1) during the second half at T-Mobile Center.
VJ Edgecombe gets touching gesture from 76ers Daryl MoreyMatty Breisch ·
Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (5) reacts after his dunk against the Brooklyn Nets during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center.
Andre Drummond makes $5 million decision for 2025-26 seasonZachary Draves ·
2025 NBA Draft, 76ers, Spurs
Sixers, Spurs highlight biggest winners of 2025 NBA DraftAlex House ·

Butler signed a four-year, $140.8 million contract with the Heat in the summer as part of a four-team sign-and-trade deal between the Heat, Sixers, Los Angeles Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers. Philly acquired combo shooting guard Josh Richardson from Miami.

Butler averaged 18.2 points with the Sixers during the regular season. He raised his points per game average to 19.4 in the postseason, where Philly lost to the Toronto Raptors in seven games in the second round.

Multiple reports have stated that the Sixers didn’t offer Butler a five-year max contract in free agency. There were also reports of tension between the team’s coaching staff and Butler last season and it played a role in Philly's decision not to re-sign Jimmy.

Butler had a heated argument with Sixers head coach Brett Brown during a film session shortly after Philly acquired him from the Timberwolves. Both men downplayed the incident, but it’s clear the Sixers were content with moving on from Butler — something we know Jimmy took personally given how fierce of a competitor he is.