Philadelphia 76ers: Revisiting 20 players that fell victim to a failing ‘Process’

2. Jrue Holiday

Jrue Holiday made the all-star team with Philadelphia and was more known for his offense than defense while on the team. Although he had a few years when he dealt with injuries in New Orleans, he would overcome them and become one of the most respected defensive players in the league.

Holiday, who was traded at the beginning of the process was a key player on Milwaukee’s championship team last season.

1. Jimmy Butler

Out of all the players that came and went in the revolving door called the process, Jimmy Butler is the one they shouldn’t have let get away. They gave up a lot to get him just to let him walk in free agency. While he was in Philadelphia, Butler was their go-to guy in the fourth quarter.

Unlike Ben Simmons, Butler can dribble to a spot on the floor and shoot at a high clip. He hit game-winning shots and carried the offense in games when Embiid didn’t have it going. As great as he was on offense for Philadelphia, he was just as solid on the defensive side of the ball. His ability to be disruptive on the defensive end to whoever he is guarding has made him one of the best two-way players in the NBA the last eight seasons.

Butler’s impact affects wins and losses to whatever team he goes to. The Bulls went from 41 wins to 27 wins after trading him, The Minnesota Timberwolves went from 47 wins and their first playoff berth in 14 years to 36-46 after they traded him to Philadelphia.

Butler’s lone year in Philadelphia resulted in them going 51-31, losing in the semifinals. In the bubble season without Butler, Philadelphia went 43-30, getting swept in the 1st round while Butler led the Miami Heat to the NBA finals, losing 4-2 to the Los Angeles Lakers.