Former Philadelphia team mates Jimmy Butler and Ben Simmons were not exactly best friends while teammates, but the latter may have an impact on the former’s eventual destination.
Bob Windrem of Nets Daily, who appeared on “The Brooklyn” podcast this week, stated that Butler’s interest in the Brooklyn Nets is “very, very real.” Even more interestingly, Windrem stated that Butler’s interest stems in part from an indirect link with his former Philadelphia 76ers colleague Simmons.
“Jimmy Butler’s interest in the Brooklyn Nets is very, very real,” Windrem told Sports Illustrated. “Part of it is New York, part of it is that Bernie Lee, who is Ben Simmons’ agent, is very happy with how his client has been dealt with by the Nets.”
Butler and Simmons played together in Philadelphia for one season (2018-19). Butler was notoriously close to 76ers standout Joel Embiid, but he did not share the same chemistry with Simmons. In fact, reports at the time stated Butler was dissatisfied with Simmons’ mentality. When Butler left the 76ers following the season to join the Miami Heat in a sign-and-trade deal, rumours circulated that Simmons had helped drive Butler out of Philadelphia.
However, the two ex-teammates now share a notable connection: Simmons’ agent, Lee, is also Butler’s agency. Simmons has been with the Nets since 2022, and while he continues to miss a significant number of games each season, he has not had anywhere near the problems he did with the 76ers organisation during his previous absences.
There may not be a reunion between the two players in Brooklyn because Simmons is entering the final year of his deal with the Nets and Butler has stated that he expects to play out his final contract year with the Heat this season. But we already knew last month that Butler was interested in the Nets, and Simmons (against all odds) may be influencing Butler’s thinking in that regard.
