New Philadelphia 76ers arrival Jimmy Butler eyes NBA title
Wednesday 14 November 2018 07:06, UK
Jimmy Butler sees happy days ahead for himself and the Philadelphia 76ers after joining from Minnesota Timberwolves.
Of course, Tuesday was officially day one in his life with a new team after the Timberwolves sent Butler and Justin Patton to the Sixers for Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Jerryd Bayless and a 2022 second-round draft pick.
"When guys go out there and they know how to play basketball, which everybody on this roster does, it's all going to fall into place," the 29-year-old said during his introductory news conference at the Sixers' practice facility in Camden, New Jersey.
"I don't think that anybody is going to step on anybody's toes. I think everybody still has the same job to do, and everybody's expected to be the same player that they've always been. That's why I think it's going to be successful."
Philly general manager Elton Brand believes acquiring Butler will help the Sixers in their quest to win an NBA title.
"We have a championship window, and it's important that we do whatever it takes to capitalize on it," Brand said. "It was important to us to go get a superstar, to go get some young talent to help make that next step in achieving a championship. Butler's goals match ours and the city of Philadelphia's."
The priority for both Butler and the Sixers is winning right away.
When asked about his goal this season, Butler said: "Obviously win a championship. That's why we play, why they play. Why they did what they did.
"I already got enough money to have me and my family set for the rest of my life. It's not about the money.
"I have to love where I'm at and have a great chance to win a championship."
Butler is expected to appear in his first Sixers game on Wednesday, when they face the Magic in Orlando, but he'll get a chance to show the home crowd what he can do on Friday against the Utah Jazz.
Since the start of the 2014-15 season, Butler has averaged 21.8 points a game.
After one season in Minnesota, Butler told the Timberwolves just before training camp that he wanted a change of scenery, with the fallout at the time raising questions about whether he makes a good team-mate.
"You really wouldn't know who I am unless you're around me every day," Butler said. "For the most part, that's why I don't worry too much about what everybody says.
"If you know me, if you're around me, you know my heart. You know how I go about what I go about.
"I love my team-mates. I don't think there's too many of them that'll tell you that I'm a bad team-mate, but people get whatever they want to say out.
"It is what it is, but I think that I'm an incredible human being and team-mate, and I'll show that to the guys that are here."
If he decides he doesn't like the atmosphere in Philadelphia, Butler can opt out of the final season of his current contract and test free agency this summer, but reports after the trade said the sides intend to agree on a contract extension after the season. Brand just wants Butler to stay put.
"We hope he sees a fit here. We hope that we see the fit there this season because we know what kind of talent he is," Brand said. "He's a superstar player so we're definitely looking forward to having those discussions, but we can't have those yet."
