76ers Reportedly Refused to Offer Jimmy Butler a Max Contract

Jimmy Butler will not rejoin the 76ers for next season, but it seems the team's unwillingness to pay him was what drove the two parties apart.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, Philadelphia was reportedly unwilling to offer Butler a four- or five-year max contract.

Here's the side of the story coming from @wojespn on Sportscenter with SVP right now — says the Sixers were, "out of the Jimmy Butler business."

"They were not giving Jimmy Butler a five year max, they were not giving Jimmy Butler a four-year max."
— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) July 1, 2019

It seems as though they were steadfast in their unwillingness to shell out the big bucks for him. Butler was initially expected to join the Miami Heat in a sign-and-trade, but that deal now seems to have hit a wild and unexpected road block.

Butler, a four-time All-Star who's been named to four All-NBA Defensive teams, averaged 18.2 points and 1.8 steals per game for the 76ers last season after he was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves via trade.

Though the 76ers brought him in as the closer to bolster their title hopes, he didn't quite gel with the team, ultimately not producing the expected results.

Five-time All-Star F/C Al Horford has agreed to a four-year, $109M deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, agent Jason Glushon tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2019

He was one of the most highly-coveted names heading into the offseason, but after the 76ers signed Al Horford to a four-year, $109 million deal, it became abundantly clear that they were ready to move on.

Butler now finds himself in the middle of a massive trade snafu involving the team that didn't feel the need to give him a massive payday. Go figure.