76ers must be driving Rockets crazy over Jimmy Butler situation
By Dan Parzych
![]TORONTO, ON - MAY 07: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers gestures during Game Five of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on May 7, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Ff9f24181476534f35a54a0d952f64ab227190d4423810f936c4c024e64f5f234.jpg "]TORONTO, ON - MAY 07: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers gestures during Game Five of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on May 7, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)")
As much as the Houston Rockets don’t want to hear it, the Philadelphia 76ers seem to be in the driver’s seat when it comes to the chances of signing Jimmy Butler this summer.
No matter how much the Philadelphia 76ers try to avoid the topic of Jimmy Butler possibly joining the Houston Rockets, this just seems like one of those things that Brett Brown and company won’t be able to escape until some sort of deal is reached.
Rightfully so, the Sixers were originally considered the favorites to land the star forward not just because they could offer the most money, but also due to how great of a fit Butler appeared to be during the team’s recent playoff run.
While Butler has every right to want to pursue as much money as possible, the veteran is also at a stage in his career where he’s going to want to play for a team with a legitimate shot at winning the NBA title.
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So with Philadelphia coming off yet another impressive outing in the playoffs, why wouldn’t Butler just want to return to the Sixers, and earn a boatload of money in the process?
Well, unfortunately that’s always easier said than done since with Butler being born in Houston, the Rockets are obviously going to be a tempting option due to family living out there along with the team being a serious contender in the Western Conference.
But at least for the Sixers, the one key advantage they have over the Rockets is their salary cap situation since unless Houston makes some moves to clear space, it’s going to be nearly impossible to bring Butler on board.
Over the last week or so, there have been numerous reports surrounding the Rockets offering up players such as Clint Capela or Eric Gordon in order to free up some of that space for Butler, although that’s always easier said than done.
Unless the Sixers have some sort of change of heart involving Butler no longer being a top priority, Philadelphia can simply use the situation to their advantage by passing on any sort of sign-and-trade with Houston.
Even if Butler ends up hinting at the Rockets being his preference, this doesn’t necessarily mean the Sixers would have to agree to a deal just to make him happy.
At the end of the day, the NBA is still a business, and even if the process in attempting to re-sign Butler doesn’t go smooth, Philadelphia is still going to do whatever they believe is best for the team to keep the Sixers a top contender in the east.
No matter how bad the Rockets may want Butler, the Sixers shouldn’t give in and make it easy for them since, as crazy as it sounds, they are in the driver’s seat with this situation when compared to Houston.