With a slew of star-studded teams already getting eliminated from title contention, the proverbial rumor mill has already gained a lot of momentum heading into the offseason. For the Philadelphia 76ers, who are headed by a notorious big-name hitman in Daryl Morey, that means being linked to various stars even if they may not necessarily be available for taking.

Nevertheless, the current state of the NBA where teams with booming payrolls now find themselves revisiting their steps, there are probably a bevy of big names bound to get moved elsewhere sooner than later as teams like Oklahoma City, Minnesota, and Denver have shown that one can be competitive through in-house development and complementary additions.

The Philadelphia 76ers are likely to have multiple options in their star-hunting voyage

Even as of writing, the 76ers could very well be solidifying the groundwork to strengthen their case as a potential destination for stars who will hit the market in free agency or could be available via trade. Naturally, their war chest of assets from cap space and considerable draft ammo makes them as the default must-watch team this summer.

Heck, even Philly’s reported stance post-draft lottery has fans and pundits alike resting assured that there will absolutely be no inhibitions from the 76ers this summer. And to follow through, let’s examine a hot blockbuster trade proposal and evaluate how it could work for the franchise as they enter a defining offseason.

76ers trade for and reunite with Jimmy Butler in this proposed 4-team blockbuster

Philadelphia 76ers receive: Jimmy Butler
Miami Heat receive: Donovan Mitchell (from Cavaliers), Kyle Kuzma (from Wizards), $13.4 million trade exception (Jimmy Butler), $2.5 million trade exception (Nikola Jović), $2.3 million trade exception (Tyler Herro)
Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Tyler Herro (from Heat), No. 15 pick (from Heat), 2026 Suns second-round pick (via Wizards), 2028 Clippers first-round pick (via 76ers), 2030 first-round pick (via Heat), $6.4 million trade exception (Mitchell), $2.6 million trade exception (Ty Jerome)
Washington Wizards receive: Paul Reed Jr. (from 76ers), Nikola Jović (from Heat), Ty Jerome (from Cavaliers), No. 16 pick (via 76ers), 2026 first-round pick (via 76ers), $23.5 million trade exception (Kuzma)

In this trade proposal from Bleacher Report, the Philadelphia 76ers reunite with former Sixer forward Jimmy Butler, whom the Miami moves on from and replaces with Donovan Mitchell, who is also facing an intriguing situation regarding his future in Cleveland.

Meanwhile, Washington joins the fray and sells high on Kyle Kuzma to boost their youth movement as the Cavaliers stock up on draft capital and acquire a potential Mitchell replacement in oft-rumored Tyler Herro.

Butler, who spent half a season in Philadelphia in the 2018-19 season, is one of the most difficult stars to project. On one hand, he’s a postseason catalyst who’s led the Heat to two Finals appearances (and losses) in the last four years. On the other hand, he’s also approaching 35 and is not exactly the most durable franchise centerpiece available.

How does this trade fare for the 76ers alone? Let’s ponder at the pros and cons of this hypothetical deal.

Why the 76ers should trade for Jimmy Butler

As for why Philadelphia should laser in on Jimmy Butler and try to make a swing trade for him, the answer doesn’t need any beating around the bush — he’s Jimmy Butler, and even at his age, he’s still a legitimately elite two-way force who can be reliably banked on to be the team’s spearhead, especially for one as ambitious as the 76ers.

Butler has a tendency to cruise control during the regular season, but theoretically speaking, his streamlined production during that span would blend pretty well with his expected role with the 76ers as a tertiary scorer who can take over when needed and handle playmaking duties. Defensively, he’ll assume the role of anchor as he has the aptitude and gravitas to demand accountability from his teammates on that end.

More importantly, Butler is a huge presence that could easily get Philly over the hump by virtue of his mental toughness and ample playoff experience. He’sa big personality with an equally big influence as a difference-maker on both ends. Put simply, that he is Jimmy Butler is more than enough impetus to force the 76ers to move the needle assuming he’s truly made available.

In addition, for a player of his caliber, paying the price of three first-round picks and a pretty replaceable rotation piece in Paul Reed is actually a bit of a bargain. There’s little risk for the 76ers when looking at the moving parts.

Why the 76ers should not trade for Jimmy Butler

Really, the biggest impediment with acquiring Jimmy Butler is his availability, or the relative lack thereof. He missed the entire postseason this time around, and in his five-year tenure in Miami, he’s missed a total of 100 regular season games. Heck, even Pat Riley admitted that his availability and overall health would be defining factors regarding his impending extension with the franchise.

For a Philadelphia team already expected to bridge the gap between easing the load on its oft-injured best player in Joel Embiid and remaining competitive enough for a realistic shot at the championship championship, putting all the chips on another non-iron man could be deemed as a big gamble. After all, availability is still the best skill, especially for a league with an increasing parity.

In addition, trading for Butler would concurrently mean that the 76ers would be amenable to giving him the very lucrative extension he and his camp so desire, the value of which could handcuff the team into having a top-heavy payroll and paralyze them from making marginal roster upgrades.

Grade: A

Looking at the big picture, the 76ers are incentivized to go all-in and disregard timeline this time around. Embiid isn’t getting any younger, and the best way to augment the team’s championship case is to surround him and Maxey with a proven All-Star and a proven playoff performer. For the asking price in the proposed deal, this trade is a no-brainer for the 76ers.