Section 215
Fansided

Jimmy Butler makes strong case for max deal from 76ers following Game 6 win

By Dan Parzych

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 09: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in front of Marc Gasol #33 of the Toronto Raptors at the end of the second quarter of Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center on May 9, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 09: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in front of Marc Gasol #33 of the Toronto Raptors at the end of the second quarter of Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center on May 9, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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The Philadelphia 76ers may have to open up their checkbook to keep Jimmy Butler around for the long run after this season.

With their backs against the wall in Game 6 of the semifinals, the Philadelphia 76ers came through when it mattered the most on Thursday by defeating the Toronto Raptors 112-101.

Right from the start, the Sixers wasted little time coming out firing against the Raptors to make sure their season would survive for at least a few more days, and while plenty of players deserve a ton of credit, there’s no way this victory would have happened without Jimmy Butler.

To say Butler has been Philadelphia’s MVP of the playoffs would be a huge understatement when looking at some of the stellar performances he’s put together, and the star forward stepped up once again in a big way on Thursday to force a Game 7 on Sunday.

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Along with his 25 points, Butler also contributed six rebounds, and eight assists, showing just how valuable he’s been not just this series, but the entire playoffs.

Even in games when the Sixers as an overall team looked awful, it was Butler who continued to play at a high level. And while Philadelphia would love nothing more than to keep Butler around for the long run, they also know that’s easier said than done due to his contract situation.

Rumors have been swirling for months over the possibility of Butler opting out of the final year of his contract to seek a max deal, which actually seems more likely to happen with the way he’s been performing in the postseason.

Back in November when the Sixers acquired Butler from the Minnesota Timberwolves, the hope was always that he would be the missing star player Philadelphia needed to truly compete with the best teams in the Eastern Conference.

Like most teams, Butler has seen his fair share of ups and downs over the months, but the last month of play has shown just how valuable of a player he can be for the Sixers.

At the moment, all of the focus surrounding Philadelphia is on Sunday’s Game 7 in Toronto since one can only imagine how difficult it’s going to be to pull out another win, but it’s difficult not to wonder what these playoffs have done for Butler contract wise.

Rightfully so, Butler is in a position where he has the leverage to earn the best contract possible, and if the Sixers want to remain serious contenders in the Eastern Conference beyond this season, they should be willing to do whatever it takes to keep him around.

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This may seem problematic since Ben Simmons is going to be up for a hefty new contract sooner rather than later as well, but hopefully for the sake of Philadelphia, they can figure out a way to make it work, beginning with Butler this summer.