Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
The Philadelphia 76ers made waves with the acquisition of Jimmy Butler from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Here’s a look at how he’ll impact the rotation.
The Philadelphia 76ers didn’t waste any time improving their rotation this season, as they made a blockbuster move for Jimmy Butler, sending Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Jerryd Bayless and a 2022 second round draft pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Butler and Justin Patton.
Just like that, Butler is back in the Eastern Conference, joining a 9-6 team that’s 2-6 on the road and 7-0 at home in 2018-19. The leadership of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid has been good for the Sixers, but they’ve seemed to be missing that extra punch on offense and it’s shown in recent games, especially on the road.
Adding a veteran like Butler to a rotation that already features sharpshooter J.J. Redick off the bench should improve those odds and then some going forward. The departures of Saric and Covington will certainly hurt, but Philadelphia has some other players in the rotation set to contribute and the addition of Butler gives them a reliable two-way threat on the floor.
The Sixers still have T.J. McConnell, who is always reliable when his numbers called. Rookie Landry Shamet is off to a solid start and Wilson Chandler has yet to find his bearings since returning from injury on Nov. 3. Furkan Korkmaz had 16 points on 3-of-6 shooting from behind the arc in extended minutes on Monday night in a 124-114 victory over the Miami Heat. With both Covington and Saric traded away, his role should expand.
Bearing all that in mind, here’s a look at how Jimmy Butler will fit in the Sixers’ rotation for the remainder of the 2018-19 season.
Philadelphia 76ers</a> didn’t waste any time improving their rotation this season, as they made a <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1061330490366586880">blockbuster move</a> for <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/butleji01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jimmy Butler</a>, sending <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/covinro01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Robert Covington</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/saricda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Dario Saric</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bayleje01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jerryd Bayless</a> and a 2022 second round draft pick to the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/minnesota-timberwolves/">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> in exchange for Butler and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pattoju01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Justin Patton</a>.</p>
<p>Just like that, Butler is back in the Eastern Conference, joining a 9-6 team that’s 2-6 on the road and 7-0 at home in 2018-19. The leadership of <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/simmobe01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Ben Simmons</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/embiijo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Joel Embiid</a> has been good for the Sixers, but they’ve seemed to be missing that extra punch on offense and it’s shown in recent games, especially on the road.</p>
<p>Adding a veteran like Butler to a rotation that already features sharpshooter <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/redicjj01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">J.J. Redick</a> off the bench should improve those odds and then some going forward. The departures of Saric and Covington will certainly hurt, but Philadelphia has some other players in the rotation set to contribute and the addition of Butler gives them a reliable two-way threat on the floor.</p>
<p>The Sixers still have <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mccontj01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">T.J. McConnell</a>, who is always reliable when his numbers called. Rookie <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/shamela01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Landry Shamet</a> is off to a solid start and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chandwi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Wilson Chandler</a> has yet to find his bearings since returning from injury on Nov. 3. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/korkmfu01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Furkan Korkmaz</a> had 16 points on 3-of-6 shooting from behind the arc in extended minutes on Monday night in a 124-114 victory over the<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/miami-heat/"> Miami Heat</a>. With both Covington and Saric traded away, his role should expand.</p>
<p>Bearing all that in mind, here’s a look at how Jimmy Butler will fit in the Sixers’ rotation for the remainder of the 2018-19 season.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2018-19 numbers </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-330216" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1063893902-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>This season</h3>
<p>Butler was producing 21.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.0 blocks per game for the Timberwolves this season. Despite his production, things deteriorated for Minnesota and Butler in a hurry despite making an All-Star appearance in 2017-18. His presence should certainly bolster Philadelphia’s all-around game and it also should boost their 3-point shooting as well.</p>
<p>He put up 32 points on 6-of-7 shooting from 3-point land in a masterful performance against the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/los-angeles-lakers/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jamesle01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">LeBron James</a> to lead Minnesota to a 124-120 victory in late October. Butler is shooting 37.8 percent from behind the arc on the season. Along with masterful performances, there were also some bad looks that didn’t give the team much choice but to trade the four-time All-Star.</p>
<p>Butler went 3-of-12 from the field in a Nov. 9 loss, destroying any chance the Timberwolves had of winning their game against the<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/sacramento-kings/"> Sacramento Kings</a>. The turmoil looks to be over for now, as Butler joins the Philadelphia roster.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sources: With league office trade call and physicals set for Monday, the earliest the Sixers expect Jimmy Butler's debut: Wednesday at the Orlando Magic.</p>
<p>— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1061342511980072961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>November 10, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Butler’s debut with the Sixers will come on the road on Wednesday night against the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/orlando-magic/">Orlando Magic</a>. Philadelphia beat the Magic in a close game, 116-115, at home back on Oct. 20. As far as Butler is concerned, he should do his best to encourage the young guys, as he’s surrounded by a lot of them once again in Philadelphia.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> How he fits </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-330220" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1060847326-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>How he fits</h3>
<p>Philadelphia loses two quality 3-point shooters from its starting rotation with the departures of Covington and Saric. Butler will take over at one forward position, but there are big shoes to fill at the other forward spot.</p>
<p>Wilson Chandler is a new face on this roster and joined the lineup on Nov. 3 after being sidelined with an injury. He’s slowly working his way back into playing shape and made his first start of the season on Monday night against Miami. He put up five points and three assists in 23 minutes of action.</p>
<p>Butler’s presence in the Philadelphia rotation should offset the departures of Saric and Covington. At just 29 years of age, he’s approaching the prime of his career through eight seasons and counting. He’s a solid veteran addition to a Sixers rotation that has excelled this year with Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons as the primary options.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://twitter.com/JoelEmbiid?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@joelembiid posts 35 points and pulls down 18 rebounds in tonight’s win vs. Miami! <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/HereTheyCome?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#HereTheyCome</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://t.co/ZannEXxTgC">pic.twitter.com/ZannEXxTgC
<p>— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://twitter.com/sixers/status/1062193438978785280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>November 13, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Embiid had 35 points and 18 rebounds in their victory Monday night over the Heat. Simmons had 13 points, seven assists and seven rebounds. Embiid is the team’s leading scorer, rebounder and blocker this season, averaging 28.2 points, 13.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.1 blocks per contest through 15 games. Simmons is putting up 14.9 points, 8.2 assists, 8.1 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game on 54.5 percent shooting from the floor.</p>
<p>Butler in the rotation should help this team on the road the most. On the road, Philadelphia is putting up just 108.3 points per contest. At home, the Sixers are putting up 117.9 points per game. They’re shooting 30.9 percent from 3-point range on the road and 36.7 percent from behind the arc at home. With another All-Star now in the starting rotation, this team has a two-way veteran it can hopefully rely on in the clutch.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> How he affects the current roster </a>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>How he affects the current roster</h3>
<p>Leadership shouldn’t be hard to come by now with an experienced All-Star like Butler on the team. Their depth will be tested, but off the bench, J.J. Redick has been their most reliable contributor. On Monday night, he put up 25 points in the starting rotation, but for the most part, he remains Sixth Man of the Year material.</p>
<p>Redick’s role will probably remain the same with the addition of Butler and it should also put less pressure on Fultz to shoot the 3-ball at the off-guard position. Fultz is shooting 30.8 percent from 3-point range on the season, although he hasn’t taken a 3-pointer in his past seven appearances.</p>
<p>Fultz is averaging 9.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per contest as a starter this season. He put up just five points and five assists in 24 minutes of play against the Miami Heat on Monday night.</p>
<p>Philadelphia will need to monitor <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/fultzma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Markelle Fultz</a> closely, especially from a production standpoint with Butler in the starting lineup. Butler’s addition should boost Fultz’s role in the rotation as the second ball-handler, but his scoring and touches could take a hit with Butler on the floor.</p>
<p>Butler shouldn’t take away anything from what the Sixers already have, but with losses in 3-point shooting, other guys like Furkan Korkmaz and Landry Shamet will need to step up as reserves. If that can happen, the Sixers could emerge as a threat in the postseason.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> The verdict </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-330225" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1055361168-850x560.jpeg" alt="" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>The verdict</h3>
<p>The Philadelphia 76ers took a big chance on trading for Jimmy Butler, but it’s been business as usual for a franchise that’s been built on the phrase, “Trust the Process.” They’re not in terrible shape in the Eastern Conference and adding Butler raises their profile as a contender.</p>
<p>From a front office standpoint, general manager <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brandel01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Elton Brand</a> looks like a genius after this move. They missed out on the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/leonaka01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kawhi Leonard</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/11/13/philadelphia-76ers-how-will-jimmy-butler-fit-in-rotation/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/georgpa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Paul George</a> sweepstakes during the offseason. With this move, they have a Big 3 of their own that can do damage in the East. Yes, they give up Saric and Covington, but they held onto Markelle Fultz while adding Butler to their rotation, which is better for their long-term future.</p>
<p>The team did just sign Robert Covington to a four-year, $62 million extension in November 2017, but sacrifices have to be made for star players. RoCo couldn’t seem to get his offense together during last year’s postseason and it’s since left a poor taste in the mouth of the coaching staff.</p>
<p>Saric is talented offensively but limited defensively. Although he was averaging 11.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game this year, his defense left more to be desired, as did his long range touch.</p>
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<p>Philadelphia should be in good shape for now as a top team in the East, but it still needs some pieces off the bench. The Process will be one to keep an eye on after this move, that’s for sure.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">