Jimmy Butler to the Sixers

[everyoneneedsasmil]

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...olves-trading-jimmy-butler-philadelphia-76ers

Jimmy Butler is being traded to the 76ers for Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Jerryd Bayless, and a 2nd round pick.

Very win-now move for Philly, and probably a great one. Butler is a good shooter, good defender, and can even run the offense. He should fit in well with Embiid and Simmons. My guess is that they play him at SF to replace Covington. And though he hasn't actually been good, they should probably start Fultz and let him develop. If Fultz manages to become even an average NBA PG, that's a scary-good lineup in the playoffs.

From Minny's end, it's hard to judge. Butler was gone in the summer, so his trade value was at an all-time low. But, they did manage to get some quality pieces for him. Covington is pretty underrated, as a strong multi-positional defender who is a good shooter. Saric is... uncertain, but super cheap this year and next. If he's not the shooter he showed last year, then it was a low risk move. If his shooting comes back and he develops into a threatening stretch 4, then he becomes a valuable cog on the bench and in scoring lineups. Bayless is worthless, and so is the second round pick, but I'm guessing that the pick was the final "Fine, take it and feel better about all this" that greased the wheels. Minny got something, with Covington at least being a solid starter on a good, long-term contract. They are going back to lottery, though, because Wiggins sucks and Towns can't carry the team alone.

 

[kalinecountry]

He is an excellent BB player. My Celtics are on notice...

 

[Mitchrapp]

Both have to worry about the Raptors.

 

[kalinecountry]

Both have to worry about the Raptors.

You're right Mitch. Celtics have troubles matching up with the raptors.
Philly will be alot tougher with Butler too.

 

[sggatecl]

This is much better than the Houston offer they turned down.

 

[everyoneneedsasmil]

Butler is perhaps the only player in the league that can come close to matching Kawhi's all-around game. The Raptors should probably still be considered the conference favorites, but the top tier of the East is starting to look like a real conference all of a sudden. The Celtics have the best depth. The Raptors have the best team. The 76ers have the best talents. The Bucks have the best individual player.

Of course, this also means that the bottom 4 seeds are even more superfluous than ever.

 

[biggunsbob]

Wish the pistons had A player like Butler