The Jimmy Butler saga in Minnesota is finally over, as the Timberwolves star has been dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers along with center Justin Patton for forwards Robert Covington and Dario Šarić, guard Jerryd Bayless, and a 2022 second-round draft pick.
Philadelphia is apparently planning on reaching a long term deal with Butler in free agency, although he will have to opt out of the final year of his contract to be eligible for an extension.
The deal marks the end of Butler’s drama filled time in Minnesota. After demanding a trade prior to the season, Butler was involved in an infamous tirade unleashed on his teammates in which he reportedly beat the team’s starting lineup with the third-stringers. Butler was apparently losing patience with the development of the team’s young stars in C Karl-Anthony Towns and G/F Andrew Wiggins.
Philly hopes to use this trade to help them rebound from a disappointing start to the season and to help them compete with the top teams in the East, namely divison rivals Boston and Toronto.