In the second blockbuster trade of the 2018-19 NBA season, disgruntled All-Star Jimmy Butler and Justin Patton were traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Philadelphia 76ers for Dario Saric, Robert Covington, Jerryd Bayless, and a 2022 second-round pick. While we have yet to see Butler play his first game as a Sixer, hopes are high for Philly fans, including Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Alshon Jeffery.
Per Tim McManus of ESPN, Jeffery is excited to see how Butler fits in on the team and is confident that the two-way star will be embraced by the city:
“Philly gonna love Jimmy, Jimmy gonna love Philly.” Alshon Jeffery on newest Sixer Jimmy Butler. pic.twitter.com/K53tXwzscJ
— Tim McManus (@Tim_McManus) November 14, 2018
Philly fans are hoping that Jeffery's prediction is correct, especially after the predicament with Minnesota turned sour quickly and forced the Wolves' hand into trading Jimmy Butler.
Rumors swirled that Butler was not a good teammate in Minnesota and that he never truly meshed with Karl-Anthony Towns or Andrew Wiggins. Butler sat out several games for “general soreness” that raised the ire of Wolves fans who thought he was just choosing to sit out games instead of helping the team he was still employed by win games. Those games could prove to be extremely important later in the season, as the difference between the third seed and eighth seed in the Western Conference last year was only two games.
Regardless, Jimmy Butler is on a new team now and is ready to help the Sixers take the next step and make some serious noise in the East. Butler will suit up for his first game as a Sixer against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.
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