The Philadelphia 76ers had another domino fall before the June 30 free agency period. After Andre Drummond exercised his $5 million player option to remain with the Sixers for the 2025-26 season, the front office made a decision on a young player with a team option.
Jared Butler, acquired from the Washington Wizards at the deadline, will have his $2.3 million player option declined as he will enter free agency. In 28 games for the Sixers, with 17 starts, he averaged 11.5 points, 4.9 assists, and 1.1 steals while shooting 42.6% from the floor and 35.2% from deep. He was on a two-way deal when acquired before being converted to a standard contract.
The Sixers will continue to push ahead toward free agency with the hope they can bring back Quentin Grimes and Guerschon Yabusele at the outset of the period. Butler is the logical choice to decline his team option for after the Sixers selected VJ Edgecombe with the No. 3 pick in the draft.