Philadelphia 76ers: Jimmy Butler refused five-year max extension

By Christopher Kline | Jul 2, 2019

(Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images) /

According to multiple reports, Jimmy Butler was offered — and refused — a five-year extension from the Philadelphia 76ers.

After talking a big game all season, some were concerned the Philadelphia 76ers would lowball Jimmy Butler and Tobias Harris in free agency. While there’s conflicting information, reports seem to indicate the Sixers’ front office stepped up.

According to NBC Sports’ Tom Haberstroh and PhillyVoice’s Kyle Neubeck, the Sixers offer Jimmy Butler a full five-year max extension. He simply turned it down, preferring to migrate to Miami and finish the remainder of his prime in South Beach.

It’s reassuring in a sense. After selling another batch of draft picks, there was reasonable concern about the front office (read: ownership) and its willingness to dive into the luxury tax to field a competitive roster. Even Elton Brand‘s “I need every dollar” comment did little to offset the tension.

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Now it’s clear the Sixers were willing to spend. Tobias Harris will return on a massive five-year, $180 million deal. And Butler had an even bigger offer waiting. The Sixers were prepared to dive into the luxury tax and, when faced with Butler’s impending departure, made the moves necessary to field a contender in his absence.

The Sixers now have one of the most unique and interesting cores in the NBA. Joel Embiid and Al Horford is a defensive jailbreak in the frontcourt, while Ben Simmons, Josh Richardson and Tobias Harris round out a starting five of 6-foot-6+ players.

Elton Brand is reshaping the Sixers’ identity again, relying on size, length and physicality. The shot creation duties Butler once possessed will be redistributed to Harris and Richardson, while Horford can help run different actions and set up teammates via screening and passing.

It’s fair to question Butler’s priorities, but not in a negative light. You can wonder what pushed Miami over Philadelphia — the Sixers are obviously a more competitive roster — but he’s a human being and has priorities beyond winning basketball games. That’s just life. It’s not an indictment on his character or personality.

Butler has family to support and is entering the best seasons of his career. If he wants to spend those four years in Miami, so be it. The Sixers received ample compensation in return and should appreciate what Butler provided last season. He was a driving force behind much of the Sixers’ postseason run.

The Sixers made a calculated gamble when they traded Robert Covington and Dario Saric last November. Saric’s looming extension was always a concern and Minnesota eagerly shipped him to Phoenix on draft night. Richardson — similar to Covington — is a young 3-and-D wing who fits the Sixers’ timeline. He also provides more value on offense as a live-dribble threat.

Next. Sixers 2019 free agency tracker. dark

Philadelphia wanted Butler back, but he chose warmer weather and an expanded role. That’s his choice — a fine choice. The Sixers now move on in a bold new direction.