Are the Sixers better with Jimmy Butler on the roster?
Are we better with Butler? 1-4 record against winning teams at full strength is a concern.
— The Walking Scorer (@DaWalkingScorer) January 9, 2019
Depth issues aside, the answer here is a resounding yes. Butler improves the Sixers in multiple areas, giving them a viable late-game shot creator who can run the pick-and-roll, get dribble penetration and unlock new scoring opportunities for Ben Simmons.
Even though the fit isn’t the perfect, the Sixers’ starting five is one of the best five-man groups in the NBA. Butler is an elite defender who, at his peak, can carry the offense. You’d struggle to find 10-12 players better than Jimmy, which speaks to his often-underrated talent.
Assuming Brett Brown continues to make adjustments, the fit will eventually come around. It will never be perfect — Simmons and Embiid are more at fault than Butler — but the talent is good enough to win championships. The Sixers need to focus on improving the supporting cast, not retooling the core.
Only Golden State and Oklahoma City have statistically superior five-man groups in the 2018-19 season. Butler has given the Sixers a much-needed jolt, with the team going 18-9 since his arrival. Before the trade, the Sixers were 9-6. They’re on pace to exceed last season’s 52 wins.
The Sixers struggle against elite teams, but that was true before Butler’s arrival as well. It’s also important to note how valuable Butler’s skill set is against Boston and Toronto in a playoff setting. The bench is holding the Sixers back, not Butler.
With extensive cap space, the Sixers can re-sign Butler and add more pieces next summer. Getting Butler to commit might be more challenging than initially thought, but it’s still a legitimate possibility. There’s reason to believe the Sixers, with the most available money to offer, can get Butler to stick around.
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