Report: Rival Teams Believe 76ers Could Try To Acquire Jimmy Butler From Heat

Butler played 55 games for the Sixers in 2018-19 before signing with the Heat in the summer of 2019 via a sign-and-trade deal. The forward is close friends with Philadelphia big man Joel Embiid. 

Butler will make $48.8 million next season. He has a player option worth $52.4 million for the 2025-26 season. 

The Heat lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in five games. Butler missed the series because of a knee injury. 

One of the top two-way players in the NBA, Butler averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists for the Heat this season while shooting 49.9% from the field, 41.4% from beyond the arc and 85.8% from the free-throw line. The Marquette product turns 35 in September. 

Butler is extension-eligible this offseason. He’s expected to want a max deal from the Heat. 

A six-time All-Star, Butler has career averages of 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists with the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sixers and Heat. He has guided Miami to two NBA Finals appearances. 

The Heat lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2020 Finals. They then lost to the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 Finals. 

The Sixers fell to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in six games. Daryl Morey is not expected to re-sign Tobias Harris, who becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason, paving the way for Butler or another swingman to enter Philadelphia’s starting lineup alongside Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. 

Embiid, who was upset the Sixers let Butler go in 2019, has never advanced past the second round of the postseason in his career. It will be fascinating to see if Philadelphia can reunite Embiid and Butler. 

The Sixers could make some serious noise in the East next season with a Big 3 of Butler, Embiid and Maxey.