A day after ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Houston Rockets are preparing to offer four first-round picks for Minnesota Timberwolves star Jimmy Butler, a new team has entered the sweepstakes.
According to Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic, rival teams are "identifying" the Philadelphia 76ers as a potential team that could trade for the 29-year-old Butler. On top of that, he said the Timberwolves are "showing no inclination" to accept Houston's offer of the four first-rounders.
Butler requested a trade after meeting with Timberwolves management last month, and owner Glen Taylor promised he'd try to make a deal happen quickly, per Wojnarowski. But despite reported efforts from Houston and the Miami Heat, the T-Wolves still haven't traded away the four-time All-Star.
Wojnarowski initially added that Butler wanted to join either the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers or New York Knicks, since all have the cap space to sign him to the super max contract.
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Philadelphia certainly has the pieces to make a deal for Butler, and they're loaded with cap space, so they could sign him to a long-term extension this offseason. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons are likely untouchables, but perhaps 2017 No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz and role players Dario Saric and/or Robert Covington could be available.
However, it should be noted the 76ers weren't willing to meet the San Antonio Spurs' asking price of superstar Kawhi Leonard, who wound up going to the Toronto Raptors. Will they part with young asses and key players for Butler - who turns 30 next year?
The 76ers aren't on the same level as the Boston Celtics or Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference, but landing Butler would put them right in that mix again. Butler and Embiid would be a dynamic scoring and defensive duo, one that could take this team very far into the postseason.
But it remains to be seen what Minny would want from Philadelphia, and if the 76ers' front office will meet their asking price.
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