As the June 30 moratorium nears, the Philadelphia 76ers are still favorites to re-sign Jimmy Butler. After a rocky start with the franchise, Butler found his groove late in the season and developed a strong rapport with the Sixers’ stars. He seemed to enjoy himself quite a bit during the postseason.
Philadelphia also proved itself to be a legitimate contender in the wide-open Eastern Conference. While Kawhi Leonard‘s star power eventually won out, the Sixers pushed Toronto to seven games before losing at the buzzer. That’s with only two playable reserves.
If the Sixers can lure one or two solid free agents and add talent through the draft — Zhaire Smith will have a summer to get right as well — it’s feasible to consider Philadelphia favorites in the East.