Heat All-Star just the latest in long, long line of players linked to Sixers

Jimmy Butler is the most recent NBA star to be linked to the 76ers. Not coincidentally, many of those links come from writers close to the Sixers themselves. Butler reportedly wants an extension that adds a year to his current deal with Miami, but there have been no reports that the Heat are unwilling to give it or that Butler demanded a trade.

The same goes for potential free agent Paul George, supposedly Philadelphia’s “Plan A” this summer. But after the Clippers gave coach Ty Lue an extension through 2028-29, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Clippers were “determined to keep” both George and fellow veteran star James Harden as they prepare to move into a new arena.

There seems to be no end to the list of players who have been linked to the Sixers by, well, the Sixers. In addition to Butler and George, LeBron James and OG Anunoby have also been hypothetical 2024-25 76ers.

It’s not that playing with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey is unappealing or that players don’t want Philadelphia’s money. It’s that in this era, it’s rare for stars to change teams in free agency. The Lakers, Knicks and Clippers can all match offers for James, Anunoby and George, respectively, and they all finished even or ahead of the Sixers this season.

That’s why it’s far more likely that Philadelphia trades for a player already under contract, like Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans. Cap space allows for a lot of flexibility, but it only goes so far in recruiting players. No matter how many rumors come out of the Philly media.