NBA Power Rankings: How far will the Warriors fall?

By Ian Levy | Nov 20, 2018

SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 18: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors stretches before the game against the San Antonio Spurs on November 18, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 17: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during overtime in the game against the Charlotte Hornets on November 17, 2018 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Previous: 14th. Philadelphia 76ers. 10. team. 93. . 12-7

The Jimmy Butler trade has certainly injected some life into the 76ers. He’s averaging a modest 18.3 points, 3.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game but shooting 55.3 percent from the field and 42.9 percent on 3-pointers. It’s a subtle shift from aspirational contender to legitimate contender but it seems like that is the move the 76ers have made, at least mentally.

Philadelphia also has to be encouraged by the way Markelle Fultz has played since Butler joined the team. There was concern that Butler’s aggressive leadership style might not mesh with Fultz’s apparent fragility but since the trade, he’s been averaging 11.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists per 36 minutes, shooting 47.4 percent from the field. He’s taken (and missed) just one 3-pointer since Butler joined the team but things certainly don’t appear to have gotten any worse.

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