The Sixers did offer Jimmy Butler a five-year max deal, but the four-time All-Star was hell-bent on joining the Miami Heat, according to Tom Haberstroh of NBC Sports.
Butler got his wish, as he's joining the Heat via a sign-and-trade between the Sixers, Heat and Los Angeles Clippers.
Butler’s trip to Miami was not a leverage play. A source close to the situation says Butler was indeed offered the five-year, $190 million full max from Philly, but Butler wanted to move on. And perhaps the Sixers put the offer on the table with the understanding that Butler wouldn’t take it.
Butler is getting a four-year, $142 million deal with the Heat. He now becomes the franchise player in South Beach, something the swingman has been pursuing for quite some time.
This past season with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sixers, Butler averaged 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists while shooting 46.2 percent from the field, 34.7 percent from beyond the arc and 85.5 percent from the free-throw line.
Heat president Pat Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra are big fans of Jimmy Butler. They will now have Butler lead the organization in the post-Dwyane Wade era.
The Sixers, meanwhile, rebounded nicely after losing Butler. They re-signed small forward Tobias Harris to a max deal and signed All-Star big man Al Horford to a four-year contract.
Follow Us
Subscribe