Joel Embiid reportedly asked the Sixers to trade for Jimmy Butler before landing Paul George- why a reunion should still happen

According to a new report from Yahoo Sports’ Vincent Goodwill, Joel Embiid pushed the Philadelphia 76ers to reunite with Jimmy Butler this offseason before they ultimately signed Paul George to a max contract.

Yes, the same Jimmy Butler who torched the Sixers in the 2022 playoffs and has led the Miami Heat to two NBA Finals appearances. The same Jimmy Butler who famously left Philly after just half a season despite being offered a five-year, $190 million max deal. And the same Jimmy Butler who’s now reportedly done with the Heat and looking for greener pastures.

Jimmy Butler wants out of Miami:

oh dear. pic.twitter.com/NQvgFsENGO

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 3, 2025

This revelation adds another wrinkle to the Sixers’ turbulent season, which hit a low point Thursday night in a humiliating 139-105 loss to the Warriors.

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Butler, meanwhile, has had a miserable start to the season in Miami, averaging just 17.6 points per game—his lowest since 2013—and openly expressing his frustrations about losing his joy for the game.

The 76ers should be in on Jimmy Butler ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline:

For Embiid, the appeal of bringing back Butler makes perfect sense. The two shared a strong bond during their brief stint together in 2018-19, with Butler’s playstyle complementing Embiid’s dominance in the post.

That team was a miracle Kawhi Leonard shot away from the Eastern Conference Finals, and many fans (and apparently Embiid himself) have wondered what could’ve been if Butler stayed.

If the Sixers are serious about salvaging their season, Butler’s two-way prowess and killer instinct could provide a much-needed spark

While Paul George has been solid, the Sixers haven’t found the chemistry or consistency they need to climb out of their current 13-19 hole. Reuniting Embiid and Butler would certainly shake things up and potentially give the Sixers a chance to right the ship.

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Is a Jimmy Butler Reunion Realistic?

Let’s pump the brakes for a second, though. Miami is unlikely to give Butler away for pennies, especially to a division rival. The Heat aren’t known for rolling over in trade talks, and their asking price will undoubtedly include valuable assets that the Sixers might not want to part with—especially after already reshaping their roster to accommodate George.

But it’s hard to ignore the timing. Butler’s public dissatisfaction in Miami is reaching a boiling point, and his “open to anywhere but Miami” stance essentially turns this into an NBA-wide bidding war. If the Sixers want to make a move, now might be the time.

The Sixers, who haven’t looked anything close to contenders this season, need to ask themselves whether a Jimmy Butler reunion is worth the cost. Would Butler’s edge and playmaking ability be enough to turn things around, or is the team’s flawed roster construction too big an obstacle to overcome?

Embiid’s patience is not unlimited. His push for Butler speaks to his desire to win now, not later. If Philadelphia wants to keep their MVP happy—and their championship window open—they might need to act quickly.

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