76ers to make a run at Jimmy Butler if they miss on Paul George?

Jimmy Butler’s future in Miami has become an increasingly hot topic in league circles in the wake of the Heat’s first-round exit. Butler has one guaranteed season left on his contract at $48.8 million before a $52.2 million player option for 2025-26. The 34-year-old, who turns 35 in September, will be seeking a contract extension this summer, meaning that the Heat risk alienating their post-Dwyane Wade face of the franchise if they prioritize future flexibility and an extension is not hashed out. More than rival one team out there has likewise wondered whether Philadelphia, in the wake of its first-round exit, will mount a trade run at Butler to reacquire Joel Embiid’s close friend if the 76ers are unsuccessful in using their projected $50-plus million in salary cap space to acquire presumed top target Paul George. Butler’s highly successful stay on South Beach, of course, began when the Sixers prioritized retaining Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris over Butler and agreed to sign-and-trade him to Miami when the Heat had minimal salary cap space.
Source: Marc Stein @ marcstein.substack.com