Philadelphia 76ers: What the rotation should look like with Jimmy Butler

Small Forward: Jimmy Butler

The newest addition will immediately add another dynamic to the Sixers’ starting lineup. He’s the isolation scorer and shot creator Brett Brown has desperately lacked, giving him another option late in games and when the offense slows down.

In addition to his scoring, Butler can run the pick-and-roll with Embiid, something Simmons and Fultz struggle with due to their shooting limitations. That will give both Embiid and Butler more easy looks.

In 10 games this season, Butler is shooting 37.8 percent from deep on 4.5 attempts per game. Both those numbers are career highs, so maintaining that efficiency and volume would greatly benefit Butler’s fit in the offense.

On the other end, Butler replaces an All-Defense wing with another All-Defense wing. While Covington’s off-ball defense and active hands might give him the edge some nights, Butler is a terrific on-ball defender who can create havoc and force turnovers himself.

Pairing Butler, Simmons and Embiid leaves the Sixers with an elite defensive core. Rarely do teams find multiple upper-echelon players who compete on both ends to the extent those three do.