NBA week 4 recap: Caris LeVert injury and Jimmy Butler trade assessment
Philly completes their trio
Markelle Fultz was supposed to be the final piece to the Philadelphia 76ers’ Big 3. Fultz has struggled with his shooting to say the least, and in trading for Jimmy Butler, his outlook in the Sixers’ triumvirate is bleak. Philly will miss Robert Covington and Dario Saric, but keeping its first round picks and netting Butler and 2017 first round pick Justin Patton was a move that had to be done.
Butler’s on-court credentials can’t be questioned. He’s a four-time All-Star, an Olympic Gold Medalist, one of the best defenders in the NBA and has improved his offensive game every season. He’s averaging at least 20 points per game for the fifth season running and launches the 76ers back to the top of a competitive Eastern Conference.
His fit with Philly comes down to his willingness to play off-ball with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons having the ball so much. There were some spacing concerns with this trade that have floated around NBA Twitter, but Butler has shot 36.1 percent on 3-pointers over the last three seasons and anybody playing next to J.J. Redick will have the court opened up.
The 76ers are also getting creative their half-court use of Simmons by posting him up and having him see over defenders and read the floor from a position closer to the rim. Embiid is playing at an MVP-level. Adding a consensus top-20 player that improves their defense, gives them a second go-to scorer next to Embiid and fits their win-now vision makes this a great trade for Philly. They also received a project big in Patton who could develop into a sold player and backup for Embiid down the line.
Butler’s off-court behavior has been worrisome with young teammates dating back to his Chicago Bulls days and his giant looming contract extension this summer will cause some caution to people. But this is a move that was needed. It’s an arms race in the NBA and Philadelphia acquired their next weapon. Everybody in Philly is excited about this move and they may not be done dealing this season.