Sixers acquire Jimmy Butler from Timberwolves for Robert Covington, Dario Saric

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Jimmy Butler

The Jimmy Butler trade saga is finally over.

The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to acquire Butler and Justin Patton from the Minnesota Timberwolves for Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Jerryd Bayless and a 2022 second-round pick.

Butler requested a trade all the way back in September.

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor declined to accept a trade offer from the Miami Heat for Butler that was centered on guard Josh Richardson and a protected first-round pick, according to Marc Stein of The New York Times. Minnesota also had discussions with the Houston Rockets.

Butler, who can become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2019 if he declines his 2019-20 player option, plans on re-signing with the 76ers in the offseason on a long-term deal.

In 10 games this season, Butler is averaging 21.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 47.1 percent from the field, 37.8 percent from beyond the arc and 78.7 percent from the free-throw line. The Sixers now have a Big Three of Jimmy Butler, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons.

Minnesota acquired Butler last summer from the Chicago Bulls on draft night. In 59 games last season, Butler averaged 22.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game while shooting 47.4 percent from the field and 35.0 percent from 3-point distance. The hope within the Timberwolves organization was that Butler, Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins would be the next lethal Big 3 in the NBA for years to come. However, the trio never clicked, as Butler had issues with Wiggins’ work ethic and approach on defense, and got fed up with the nonchalant attitude of Towns.

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