Butler traded to Philadelphia

Butler traded to Philadelphia

Butler traded to Philadelphia
NBA

Butler traded to Philadelphia

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Los Angeles—The Minnesota Timberwolves will trade unsettled star Jimmy Butler to the Philadelphia 76ers in a deal which will see three players head the other way, the US media reported Saturday.

Butler, 29, has been agitating for a move away from the Timberwolves since the start of the season, handing a transfer request in September. 

He has since played in 10 games, averaging just over 21 points, but has cut an unhappy figure in the Wolves 4-9 start to the 2018-2019 campaign. 

ESPN reported that the Timberwolves will receive Robert Covington, Dario Saric, Jerryd Bayless and a second-round pick in exchange for Butler. 

The 76ers will also receive Justin Patton as part of the deal which gives Philadelphia a formidable looking Big Three of Butler, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. 

“He said he just wants to win,” Simmons said before Saturday’s 112-106 overtime loss to Memphis. “I think that’s the mindset we all have here. We’re excited to get Jimmy in here.” 

The Sixers were left shorthanded Saturday night because the players involved in the trade did not play against Memphis. 

News of Butler’s imminent arrival in Philadelphia prompted Las Vegas bookmakers to slice the Sixers odds of challenging for the NBA Championship. 

The Westgate Las Vegas Superbook installed the Sixers as 16-1 shots for the crown, down from 30-1. 

The 76ers are currently third in the Eastern Conference standings with eight wins and five defeats. 

Meanwhile, Kevin Durant scored 28 points and unheralded Quinn Cook delivered 27 as the defending champion Golden State Warriors rallied without injured star Stephen Curry to beat the Brooklyn Nets 116-100.

Quinn’s total was a season-high as he dressed in place of Curry, who missed the game after suffering a groin injury on Thursday in a loss to Milwaukee. 

“I was trying the pick and roll, making great reads and trying to set great screens,” Durant said.  

Curry “doesn’t feel entitled or like he has to play. When his number is called he is able to go out there and produce.” 

The Warriors were also without Draymond Green, but nine time all-star Durant carried the club on his back as they snapped Brooklyn’s three-game winning streak. 

Durant had 13 points in the first quarter, scored the final six of the second as the Warriors stretched their lead to 20 in the third. 

Cook made 18 starts a year ago while Curry was injured. He nailed his first seven shots Saturday and matched Durant with 19 points in the first half. 

Cook described Durant is a special talent. “I want to be like him some day -- a Hall of Famer.” 

- Lakers beat Kings - 

Elsewhere, LeBron James scored 25 points and Tyson Chandler grabbed 12 rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers clawed their way to a .500 record with a 101-86 victory over the Sacramento Kings. 

The Lakers are now 6-6 on the season, the first time they have as many wins as losses.