According to the Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Sixers got on the phone with the Timberwolves regarding the very available (or not so available) Jimmy Butler, and the Sixers’ offer was countered with the Wolves asking for Ben Simmons in return.
O’Connor was on the Bill Simmons podcast, and said the following:
“One of the things that I’ve heard from a handful of sources is that like, with the Sixers for example, with the initial offer that they made, the counteroffer was like ‘we need Ben Simmons in a deal.’”
Wow, it’s almost like Thibs doesn’t want to trade Jimmy Butler!