Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2019: 20 best players available

By Brendon Kleen

Mandatory Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images /
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TORONTO, CANADA – MAY 12: Jimmy Butler #23 and Head Coach Brett Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers huddle together against the Toronto Raptors during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 12, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA – MAY 12: Jimmy Butler #23 and Head Coach Brett Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers huddle together against the Toronto Raptors during Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 12, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Jimmy Butler, G/F, Philadelphia 76ers, Unrestricted

The tables turned for Butler quickly and in a demonstrably positive manner. Two years ago nearly to the day, Butler was wallowing in the early part of a rebuild in Chicago, worried that the remainder of his prime would be lost in the name of player development under John Paxson and Gar Forman. After a quick and infamous pit stop in Minnesota, Butler got the opportunity in these playoffs to prove his shot creation and on-ball defensive ability, entrenching himself firmly as a top-20 player in the league.

Philadelphia truly needed Butler’s playmaking down the stretch of playoff games as teams disrespected Ben Simmons’ shooting woes and Joel Embiid wore down. Without Butler, the Sixers would have had an even harder time against Brooklyn in the first round and likely would have rolled over in fewer than seven games against Toronto.

The stabilization couldn’t have come at a better time for Butler, a couple of months away from free agency. He enters the market firmly in the second tier of free agents — the “stars” just below bigger “superstars” if you will — and will garner significant interest.

Because of the versatility of Butler’s game, he could fit anywhere that can afford to put the ball in his hands, at least as a secondary playmaker. His shooting isn’t great so teams can find better floor-spacers, but if you need an extra dose of shot creation, Butler is as good an option as you’ll find outside the top three on this list.

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