Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid reacts to Jimmy Butler trade

Sun, 11 Nov 2018, 1:28 am

Joel Embiid offered his reaction to the Jimmy Butler trade Saturday night. (Getty Images)

It’s no surprise that the Jimmy Butler trade dominated NBA headlines on Saturday. Since news broke that the Minnesota Timberwolves would be shipping him to the Philadelphia 76ers, NBA Twitter has been wondering how he’d get along with his future teammates.

On Saturday night, Joel Embiid, one of those teammates in question, gave his reaction to the Butler trade.

Embiid and Butler will be the two biggest stars on an 8-6 Sixers team, but many are curious how their similar personalities will click, or clash, in Philadelphia.

After the 76ers overtime loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday, Embiid told ESPN reporter Tim MacMahon that he would welcome Butler’s tough love leadership as long as he acted in the best interest of the team. If not, Embiid would have no problem speaking up.

“I want to win first and foremost … if it’s beneficial for me and for the team, then no problem,” Embiid said. “But if it’s something that I don’t think is going to be good for this franchise, then that’s not OK.”

Butler, a 4-time NBA All-Star, is teaming up with Joel Embiid in Philadelphia.

Meanwhile, he would stick to what he does.

“I’m going to do me,” Embiid said. “I’m going to do Joel Embiid. I’m going to dominate. I intend to keep doing what I’ve been doing — help make teammates play better and make everybody happy and make sure we win games.”

Still, for the most part, Embiid is excited for Butler to get to Philadelphia, believing that the 76ers will be able to build something special with the All-Star.

“I’m excited to go out there and play and have someone else help carry the load.” Embiid said. “Hopefully, we make it to the Finals and have a shot at the title.”