Joel Embiid has been visibly annoyed this season. And one of the reasons might be his new teammate. Yahoo Sports’ Vincent Goodwill speculated that Joel Embiid wanted the 76ers to land Jimmy Butler in the offseason, and they chose to sign Paul George instead. And that has caused a lot of friction for Embiid, who sought a reunion with his former teammate.
“I’ll tell you something else that I think is sticking Joel Embiid’s craw. He wanted the 76ers, with all the changes they made… He wanted another player from the Miami Heat. He wanted Jimmy Butler. He wanted the 76ers, told them ‘Go get my guy’.”
“And we know at the end of the season, where Jimmy Butler sat with the Heat. Pat Riley called him out… Didn’t get a contract extension. It felt like there was some level of opening…”
“I don’t think the discussions ever truly got serious… I don’t think Joel Embiid has been happy even though they wound up getting Paul George. He wanted Jimmy Butler back over there, and he made that known. And they couldn’t make it happen…”
Joel Embiid has always spoken fondly of Jimmy Butler and their brief time together on the 76ers. Most recently, after the Heat defeated the 76ers 106-89, Embiid lavished more praise on Butler, calling him the best player in the NBA. So one can imagine why Embiid would be frustrated with the 76ers.
Embiid has also started to have issues with other teammates. It was reported recently that during the 76ers’ team meeting after their loss to the Heat, Tyrese Maxey called Embiid out for not being on time for team events and activities. Perhaps the situation in Philly is far more dire than fans had imagined.
Could 76ers Make A Move For Butler?
The 76ers obviously rebuffed any move for Jimmy Butler in the offseason and opted to sign Paul George instead. But, the trade deadline is still months away, and the 76ers could look to bring Butler in any way.
This would mean getting rid of George in any trade, as his $49.2 million salary is almost the same as Butler’s $48.7 million salary. They might have to attach multiple pieces on either side to make this deal work.
There is no way to make this trade happen without George and Butler switching sides. But what if the 76ers decided to go for a risky move, and trade Joel Embiid to the Heat?
It would have to be a massive haul for the 76ers, as they would be giving up a player who won the MVP just two seasons ago, and last season, averaged 34.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game.
The 76ers fell to 2-12 last night after a loss to the Grizzlies, and there is a level of unrest among their fanbase that there hasn’t been in several years. Perhaps it is time to call an end to the near-decade-long ‘Process’ and move on from Joel Embiid, and give him what he wants; a long-awaited reunion with Jimmy Butler.
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