After yet another early playoff exit, the Philadelphia 76ers are finding themselves questioning where it all went wrong.
And while no individual decision can take all the blame, the choice to let Jimmy Butler walk in the summer of 2019 has always been considered among their worst mistakes.
Apparently, Ben Simmons was the driving force behind that move, according to Yaron Weitzman of Fox Sports:
According to league sources, Simmons’ frustration at being relegated to off-ball duty during the team’s 2019 second-round loss to the Raptors contributed to the front office’s decision to not re-sign Jimmy Butler. [Former head coach Brett Brown] had handed Butler the keys to the offense, and management was worried how Simmons would handle having Butler around and monopolizing crunch-time playmaking duties for multiple years.
As the main ball handler and distributor for the team, Simmons isn’t exactly keen on being forced to play off-ball.
Not only does it not complement his skill set, but it also diminishes his role on the roster.
Of course, we know now what Butler would go on to do in Miami. He would lead the Heat to an amazing season, where they made a respectable showing in the NBA Finals.
The Sixers, meanwhile, have struggled to repeat the success they once had with Butler, and find themselves starving for the leadership and direction he provided for the team.
Now, two years after Ben’s displeasure essentially forced Butler away, it seems as if Ben will be the next one out the door.
