A reunion would that every 76ers fans would love to see is Jimmy Butler returning to Philly and the ownership group are reportedly keen to make that happen.
The Sixers didn’t offer Butler a full max contract five seasons ago, so he was signed and traded to his preferred destination, Miami.
But the 76ers can now see what a big mistake that was, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
“Talking to my sources, the 76ers’ ownership group — they kinda regret what they did five years ago [in trading Jimmy Butler] and they see the success that he’s had,” Pompey said on Locked On 76ers. “And they realize … he could be in their eyes, the missing piece, and they’re willing to give him the money he wants.”
Money sounds like it will be the key for Butler this offseason, since he is reportedly determined to snag a max extension.
“Jimmy Butler wants a max extension this offseason, preferably from the Heat,” the Miami Herald‘s Anthony Chiang reports. “But whether it’s from the Heat or another team, he wants a max extension.”
Jimmy has $48.8 million guaranteed for next season and a player option for $52.2 million for the 2025-26 season. He is said to be seeking a two-year maximum extension for $113 million.
Heat team president Pat Riley recently spoke about Butler’s extension and seemed reluctant to commit to it at this stage.
“We don’t have to do that for a year. So we have not discussed that internally right now,” Riley said on May 6. “But we have to look at that, making that kind of commitment and when do we do it. We don’t have to do it until 2025, actually. But we’ll see.”
Butler will be the Sixers backup target if the franchise aren’t able to land Clippers forward Paul George.
Having Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and Jimmy Butler on the same team could just be a championship-winning formula.
READ MORE: NBA Analyst Suggests New Team for Chris Paul Trade
