Former Philadelphia 76ers in the 2020 NBA Finals: Jimmy Butler
The last one is of course Jimmy Butler and this one probably hurts the most for Sixers fans. After trading for Butler and Justin Patton from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2018-19 season for Robert Covington, Dario Saric, and Jerryd Bayless, the franchise failed to retain him this past offseason.
More from The Sixer Sense
- 3 Sixers players who could help Team USA Basketball
- 76ers 2k24 ratings: 3 most underrated players on Philadelphia roster
- 76ers head coach Nick Nurse bares lofty plans for Paul Reed this season
- Grade the Trade: 76ers swap Tobias Harris for superstar PG in mock deal
- Sixers Podcast: Danny Green returns + James Harden bombshell
Consenting to a sign-and-trade with the Heat might be one of those moves that haunt the franchise for a long time. In similar fashion to the Bynum trade or dealing Charles Barkley to the Phoenix Suns.
He could have possibly lead the 76ers championship last season if not for one of the luckiest shots in NBA history from Kawhi Leonard. There will always be the “what if” factor with Butler especially now that he has brought the Heat to the NBA Finals.
Despite all the drama surrounding Butler in Philly, he was a very good player for the franchise. In the one season, he played with the Sixers he averaged 18.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.8 steals.
He started his career with the Chicago Bulls before being traded to the Timberwolves and is currently the leader of this Heat team. If the Heat wins the title, it wouldn’t be surprising if he won Finals MVP.
While the Philadelphia 76ers aren’t in the NBA Finals this year, there are several players that Sixers fans can still cheer for in the championship matchup.