Entering 2019 free agency, the Philadelphia 76ers had all the intentions to keep both Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris, both of whom they acquired in separate blockbuster deals last season.
As we came to know, the Sixers were able to retain Harris on a five-year, $180 million deal. Butler, on the other hand, went over to South Beach in a sign-and-trade with the Miami Heat.
In an interview with Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated, Sixers superstar Ben Simmons spoke about the two moves that shaped Philly's summer. Asked about his thoughts on re-signing Harris, Simmons expressed his excitement that the versatile forward is coming back to form their own Big Three with himself, Harris, and Joel Embiid:
“I’m superexcited that he’s coming back. First off, he’s an amazing player, and then off the court he’s a good person, and I can relate to him. He helps me get better. He wants to see me do well, so we work a lot. And then, of course, you got an All-Star in Jo. I believe we got multiple All-Stars in Al, me, Jo, Tobias. But it’s an exciting time, especially with ‘The Big 3,’ like this one. We’re so young. We have an opportunity to do something so special.”
Simmons also spoke on how he felt about Jimmy Butler leaving for Miami:
“He’s an amazing player. His work ethic is out of this world. He works hard, and he wants to win. … He taught me a lot, just the way to carry myself as a professional. So, I got a lot of respect for Jimmy.”
Obviously, Butler's departure stung a little, but the Sixers were able to compensate the loss of the two-way star by acquiring Miami's Josh Richardson in a sign-and-trade deal. Likewise, Philadelphia also brought on veteran big man Al Horford to beef up its imposing frontcourt.
The Sixers enter the season with lofty expectations of going all the way. They open their 2019-20 campaign Wednesday as they host the new-look Boston Celtics in Philly.
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