Philadelphia 76ers: Defense gets a boost after the Jimmy Butler trade
The Philadelphia 76ers’ defense might get even better with Jimmy Butler in the mix.
Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Jimmy Butler might be the most talented trio outside Golden State. Two top-15 players, as well as another top-30 NBA player, teaming up in a winnable Eastern Conference. The Philadelphia 76ers just got a lot more exciting.
Most people will point to Butler’s offense as the reason for the trade, and that isn’t wrong. He’s the shot creator and go-to perimeter option the Sixers have lacked in recent seasons. His ability to handle the ball might open up more options in Brett Brown’s playbook as well.
His offense isn’t the only positive, though. Butler is an elite, All-Defense caliber wing who should fill Robert Covington‘s shoes on the perimeter. The Sixers’ defense, despite losing a top-10 defensive player in Covington, might actually get better.
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Butler and Covington are different defenders, so it’s tough to compare them in a vacuum. Few players can match RoCo’s effectiveness off the ball, where he uses his length and anticipation to rack up deflections and chase down weak-side blocks.
On the other hand, Butler is a better on-ball defender, using his strong frame, quick hands and relentless effort to shut down ball handlers and lock up opposing stars. There’s an argument both ways, but Cov might be the better defender by a hair.
According to Cleaning the Glass, Covington falls in the 88th percentile for block percentage and 100th percentile for steal percentage among qualified wings. Butler falls in the 82nd and 97th percentile, respectively. They’re at least comparable on that front.
This trade, however, wasn’t a simple Butler-for-Covington swap. Dario Saric is also heading to Minnesota, removing the Sixers’ weakest defensive link from the rotation.
Replacing Saric’s shooting, passing and rebounding will be a difficult task for the Sixers, but delegating his minutes to Landry Shamet, Wilson Chandler and Mike Muscala will inevitably help the defense. Saric is someone opposing offenses target and attack.
Even without Dario’s size, the Sixers will add more switchable bodies who are active on the perimeter. Moving forward — especially in the playoffs — that will have beneficial effects for the Sixers’ defense.
With the trade, the Sixers have formed an elite trio comprised solely of two-way stars. Embiid might be the Defensive Player of the Year favorite. Simmons is gunning for an All-Defense team, and Butler normally makes one. Having three stars who defend at such a high level is rare.
That’s also the difference between Karl-Anthony Towns–Andrew Wiggins and Embiid-Simmons when it comes to appeasing Butler’s competitive nature. Both Towns and Wiggins are deeply flawed defenders; Embiid and Simmons are relentless competitors with great instincts and versatility.
Next. How should the rotation look with Butler?. dark
There is plenty of risk associated with the Jimmy Butler trade, but shedding Saric and maintaining three high-level defenders should keep the Sixers in the elite tier on that end.