The Jimmy Butler saga is reportedly on the verge of coming to an end. According to a report by Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, the Minnesota Timberwolves are finalizing a deal to appease Butler’s trade request, which was made earlier this year. In a bit of a twist, Butler is heading to a team that will have legitimate championship aspirations with him on board.
That team? The Philadelphia 76ers.
Sources with @JonKrawczynski: Philadelphia is finalizing a deal with Minnesota to acquire Jimmy Butler.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 10, 2018
Philadelphia came into the year with hopes of winning the Eastern Conference, and despite their 8-5 record to start the year, the team has looked a bit off as it has worked to incorporate second-year guard Markelle Fultz into the rotation. According to reports, though, Fultz is not included in the deal.
Instead, the move will feature Dario Saric, Robert Covington, Jerryd Bayless, and a pick heading to Minnesota in exchange for the All-Star guard.
Minnesota has traded Jimmy Butler and Justin Patton to Philadelphia for Robert, Covington, Dario Saric and a 2022 second-round draft pick, league sources tell me and @JonKrawczynski.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 10, 2018
Deal includes both Robert Covington and Dario Saric, sources tell ESPN
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) November 10, 2018
Minnesota has agreed to a deal to send Jimmy Butler to Philadelphia for a package that includes Robert Covington and Dario Saric, league sources tell @ZachLowe_NBA and me.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 10, 2018
Sources: Philadelphia's Jerryd Bayless has also been traded to Minnesota as part of Jimmy Butler deal. Covington/Saric/Bayless/2022 2nd for Butler and Patton. https://t.co/qSvFzjG5BU
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 10, 2018
The Sixers won’t just get Butler back, as the team will receive former first-round selection Justin Patton as well.
Minnesota will also trade Justin Patton and acquire a second round pick in the trade, league sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/oMXzL7oEen
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 10, 2018
A trade call to officially approve the deal will apparently happen on Monday, per Charania.
Sources on @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium: Minnesota and Philadelphia have trade call with the NBA on Monday to complete the Jimmy Butler trade.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 10, 2018
This is a seismic move in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, as Butler, Ben Simmons, and Joel Embiid is one heck of a trio for the Sixers moving forward. As for the Timberwolves, this ends what has been a remarkable trade saga, and gives them a pair of talented wings to pair with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins and resets the timeline moving forward to be more future oriented for their young stable of players.
