Philadelphia 76ers rumors: Jimmy Butler to L.A. Lakers is a real possibility

Jimmy Butler is a free agent and rumors are flying around the Philadelphia 76ers’ biggest offseason question mark.

The Philadelphia 76ers‘ season ended on a sour but promising note, as Kawhi Leonard‘s last-second shot hit rim four times and bounced in. Now the Raptors are up 3-2 on the first-seeded Bucks, which shows how close the Sixers were to legitimate title contention.

Jimmy Butler was integral to Philadelphia’s success, emerging as the team’s best offensive player for long stretches this postseason. His shot-making, passing and defense were all weapons the Sixers lacked the year prior. He’s what elevated the Sixers to true contender status.

Now Butler is a free agent, hitting the open market less than a season after the Sixers acquired him from Minnesota. He’s eligible for a five-year, $190 million extension — something the 29-year-old is likely to command.

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The Sixers should be willing to offer Butler the years and the money. There are concerns about his long-term projection, but his importance to the Sixers is undeniable. The Sixers are considerably less threatening without him on the roster.

For a while, it has felt likely that Butler would return if given a full max offer sheet. He has built positive relationships with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, while his partnership with Brett Brown seems to be in a good place after the early-season scuttlebutt.

That could still be the case. Philadelphia offers Butler his most compelling chance to win, as the Sixers — boosted by a stronger bench and more continuity — could feasibly make a Finals run as soon as next season. Butler is in his prime and preaches winning on the regular.

But according to one rumor, Butler could have interests well beyond Philly. While not necessarily a surprise, it feels more and more possible that Butler pursues another market this summer. He can snub the Sixers and leave Elton Brand in a thorough predicament.

In an appearance on The Herd, the L.A. Times’ Arash Markazi said Butler would join the Lakers “in a second” if they offered a max contract. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst also reported that LeBron James has been in contact with Butler, presumably for recruitment purposes.

With those reports comes building momentum for the Butler-to-L.A. crowd. Markazi also notes that the Clippers don’t want to sign Butler, removing a team previously glued to the top of his wishlist during the Minnesota fiasco.

Another interesting detail was pointed out by PhillyVoice’s Kyle Neubeck, who dove into the initial ESPN reports following Jimmy Butler’s trade request last summer. In one of Adrian Wojnarowski’s original reports, Butler was said to have no interest in sharing the court with LeBron. That report was later updated, the LeBron factoid being removed.

Whether it was a change of heart or Woj going back on a source, it’s an interesting ripple in the sea of free agency rumors. Jimmy to Los Angeles seems to be a real possibility, and perhaps the Lakers’ most likely max-level acquisition. Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Kawhi Leonard might have other ideas.

This does not mean Butler returning to Philadelphia is off the table. He would be leaving more money, a chance to win and a better organizational culture to join LeBron and the Lakers’ young core. It’s not the kind of move Butler has become known for.

Next. Elton unleashed - Sixers GM is no 'yes' man. dark

As the June 30 moratorium inches closer, we are bound to see more intel regarding Butler’s thought process and preferences. It should be an interesting summer, folks.

Philadelphia 76ers rumors: Jimmy Butler to the L.A. Lakers is a real possibility

By Christopher Kline | May 24, 2019

Jimmy Butler is a free agent and rumors are flying around the Philadelphia 76ers’ biggest offseason question mark.