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Jimmy Butler even more of a priority for 76ers after Game 1 from NBA Finals

By Dan Parzych

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 09: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center on May 9, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Raptors 112-101. 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 dribbles the ball against Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Semifinals at the Wells Fargo Center on May 9, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Raptors 112-101. 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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After watching the Toronto Raptors cruise to a 118-109 victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Jimmy Butler should be even more of a priority for the Philadelphia 76ers this offseason.

No matter how hard they try over these next few weeks, the Philadelphia 76ers will continue to wonder what could have been in the NBA Finals after watching how close they came to taking down in the Toronto Raptors in Game 7 of the semifinals.

Watching Kawhi Leonard‘s shot bounce around a few times before dropping in is something that will haunt the Sixers throughout the summer, but maybe after watching Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Philadelphia can use some of that energy to focus on Jimmy Butler.

Ever since Philadelphia’s season came to a heartbreaking end a few weeks back, the speculation over what the future holds for Jimmy Butler in the City of Brotherly Love quickly became the popular topic of discussion.

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Sure, the Sixers have a few other key areas to address as well, such as whether Tobias Harris would be worth bringing back as well.

But since Game 1 of the NBA Finals made it clear that Toronto is only going to continue to be a serious threat in the Eastern Conference, convincing Butler to return seems like it just became even more of a priority for the Sixers this summer.

Since every basketball fan is under the assumption that Toronto will do whatever it takes as well to convince Leonard to return, especially if the Raptors end up defeating the Warriors, the Sixers will find themselves in the same position as last summer.

After coming up short last year in the semifinals of the playoffs against the Boston Celtics, it was clear the only chance the Sixers would have of truly competing in the Eastern Conference would be to add another superstar to play alongside Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.

Despite coming up short against Toronto, the presence of Butler made it clear this season that he is capable of being that third superstar Philadelphia needs to compete with the best in the Eastern Conference.

However, if Butler ends up leaving in free agency, and receives a max contract from a different team, the Sixers could find themselves scrambling in regards to finding a replacement.

To watch the Raptors take down the Warriors the way they did made it clear just how special of a team Nick Nurse has to work with, and that’s only going to continue moving forward, even if Leonard is gone this summer.

Butler was already viewed as the top priority for Philadelphia following the conclusion of Game 7 in the semifinals, but Toronto taking down Golden State in Game 1 just took this priority to new levels.

No matter what it takes, the Sixers needs to convince Butler to return, even if it means opening up the checkbook, and figuring out everything else later on.