New York Knicks: A trade to bring Jimmy Butler to NY

CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 17: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on November 17, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images /

Philly’s side of the story

Let’s picture this. You are the Elton Brand, the general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers and you are faced with a dilemma. You just gave away two solid assets for a superstar, but it turns out to lead to a tense atmosphere.

As a result, the dilemma is: Do you trade away Jimmy Butler by receiving significantly less compared to what you gave up? Or do you keep him aboard and hope that this situation just goes away, risking his departure in July at the same time?

Chances are, the Sixers stick with Butler at least until the end of the season. That is, of course, unless something significant happens in Philly that would make Butler want to be dealt with immediately.

But if they were to trade him, the Knicks could be a realistic destination. They have the cap space to take on Butler and countless young assets to help the Sixers on the long run.

The Philadelphia 76ers have built their team from scratch, almost exclusively via the NBA Draft. Ben Simmons is about to be an All-Star and Joel Embiid is already one. Though we still have to place a question mark next to Markelle Fultz‘s name, there is no doubt that we are dealing with one of the best young cores in the NBA.

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