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Washington receives: Jimmy Butler, Philadelphia's 2019 1st Round Pick, Miami's 2021 1st Round Pick
Philadelphia receives: Bradley Beal
Jimmy Butler is reportedly “unhappy” about his role in Philadelphia’s offense, and according to Bleacher Report, at least one team has called the Sixers to try and pry the All Star away from the club.
Butler told Sixers head coach Brett Brown he has felt misused in the offense and would like to have a bigger role. With the uncertainty that follows Butler after this year, the Sixers may need to cash in on him before the deadline is up, or fear losing him at the end of the year. Butler has previously expressed interest in playing in Los Angeles, and may possibly be eyeing a contract with the Clippers as a free agent this summer.
Before Butler lands in Southern California, he may first be destined for a stop in the nation’s capital. The Sixers ought to flip Butler for Bradley Beal.
Philly would have to incentivize the floundering Wizards to let their best player go, and some draft picks might do the trick. With a trade to the Wizards, Butler would have a team to himself for the rest of the year, and if he chooses to re-sign this summer could form a deadly backcourt with John Wall.
The knock on Wall has been his inconsistency and his habit of taking games and possessions off. With the notoriously hard-working Butler in Washington that would not fly. The Wizards need a new injection of energy into their team, and the assiduous Jimmy Butler could help the franchise turn itself around.
With this trade both clubs get to acquire new stars, providing helpful and possibly necessary tweaks. Philadelphia gets a better natural fit for their team in Beal and Washington gets a true leader in Jimmy Butler. Both would benefit greatly.