There was reportedly tension between the Philadelphia 76ers' coaching staff and Jimmy Butler last season, and it played a role in the Sixers' decision to not re-sign the four-time All-Star this summer in free agency, according to Dave Early of Liberty Ballers.
Butler had a heated argument with Sixers head coach Brett Brown during a film session shortly after Philly acquired him from the Minnesota Timberwolves. The swingman signed a four-year deal with the Miami Heat this offseason. The Sixers got guard Josh Richardson from Miami in the sign-and-trade deal:
When pressed if there was any tension in the locker room that may have led to the Sixers decision to move on, the source suggested that there did exist some tension at times between Butler and the coaching staff, not between Butler and his teammates. “There was sometimes tension. [Butler] and the coaches, yes.”
This is nothing new when it comes to Jimmy Butler. He had issues with Fred Hoiberg on the Chicago Bulls and didn't get along with certain teammates in Minnesota.
It looks like the Sixers didn't want to deal with a Butler headache for a full season in 2019-20, especially since they are legitimate title contenders after signing Al Horford.
Butler averaged 18.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists last season with the Timberwolves and Sixers while shooting 46.2 percent from the field, 34.7 percent from beyond the arc and 85.5 percent from the free-throw line. He put up 19.4 points per game in the 2019 playoffs for the Sixers. Philly lost to the Toronto Raptors in the second round of the postseason.
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