I will never watch basketball again if Jimmy Butler goes to Brooklyn to play with Ben Simmons

Jimmy Butler and Ben Simmons weren’t exactly close during their time together in Philadelphia but now, in an unexpected turn, Simmons might be the guy influencing Butler’s potential next move.

Let’s rewind to the Jimmy Butler era in Philadelphia.

When Jimmy Butler and Ben Simmons teamed up on the Sixers during the 2018-2019 season, it looked like Philadelphia finally (and quickly) had the makings of a serious contender.

Behind the scenes however, it was long-rumored that the relationship between Butler and Simmons was a main part of why Jimmy never lasted in Philadelphia.

Ben Simmons was a ball-dominant player who regardless of his play-style, wanted to be the point guard and facilitator on the 76ers roster. That play-style included Simmons’ lack of a jumper so it made spacing an absolute nightmare when both he was on the floor for Jimmy Butler and Joel Embiid. That apparently caused division in the locker room.

One of the key moments came when Brett Brown shifted the playmaking responsibilities to Butler, especially late in games – highlighted during the 76ers’ playoff run that season.

While that helped the team on the court, it indirectly marginalized Ben Simmons’ role as the primary facilitator. There were reports that Butler actually challenged Brown in a team meeting, questioning how the offense was being run. It wasn’t a public feud, but that meeting led to some tension behind the scenes, as Brown had to balance two very different stars.

Jimmy Butler Heads to Miami

The 76ers decided to stick with the young combination of Simmons and Embiid as their franchise cornerstones and while Jimmy Butler never really threw anyone under the bus when he left for Miami, he later hinted that the team’s culture didn’t quite fit his style.

That brings us to a new report today that Jimmy Butler could be looking towards the Brooklyn Nets – with one of the reasons being Ben Simmons and no, I’m not kidding.

The Jimmy Butler x Ben Simmons Brooklyn Connection

On “The Brooklyn” podcast, Bob Windrem of Nets Daily reported that Butler has serious interest in joining the Brooklyn Nets. What’s surprising is that part of that interest could be linked to Simmons.

Jimmy Butler’s interest in the Brooklyn Nets is ‘very’ real, partly due to a connection with Ben Simmons, per @NetsDaily

“Jimmy Butler’s interest in the Brooklyn Nets is very, very real. Part of it is New York, part of it is that Bernie Lee — who is Ben Simmons agent, is very… pic.twitter.com/ihNCVc0Ahe

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 12, 2024

The connection here is Ben Simmons’ agent, Bernie Lee, who also now represents Butler.

According to Windrem, Lee is happy with how the Nets have handled Simmons since he joined the team in 2022. That positive relationship might be a factor in Butler’s growing interest in Brooklyn.

Side Note: Of course he’s happy about Ben Simmons in Brooklyn. Simmons hasn’t done anything and went from a rising star in the NBA to being completely irrelevant all while collecting a massive paycheck.

Honestly, I think this is all bullshit. Jimmy Butler is perfectly content in Miami and the Heat are complete ass without him. Why he would want to go to Brooklyn who just held a massive fire sale over the summer really doesn’t make sense, right?

I guess you can say that the two players share an agent but that doesn’t mean that he wants to leave Miami to go play with Ben Simmons. In fact, I think it’s beyond stupid to even make that assumption.

Simmons is entering the final year of his contract with Brooklyn, while Butler remains committed to Miami for at least another season. I’m calling bullshit – but god damn, I don’t know if I could handle it. My guys together again behind enemy lines? Brutal. Just send the 76ers to Camden because I’ll never watch basketball again.

Rendering of potential Philadelphia 76ers arena in Camden released shortly after Mayor Cherelle Parker’s town hall addressing concerns about moving location to Market East

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