76ers trade Jimmy Butler to Heat, sign Al Horford

The Philadelphia 76ers continue to be players in the Eastern Conference even despite losing Jimmy Butler.

The 76ers agreed to a sign-and-trade with the Miami Heat involving Butler. They signed Butler to a four-year, $142 million deal and traded him to the Heat. They most prominent player they’re getting back in Josh Richardson. They will likely be taking back additional players to make the salaries match.

On top of the Butler acquisition, the 76ers are signing Al Horford to a four-year $109 million deal. The deal contains $97 million guaranteed, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, with additional bonuses tied to championships.

The Sixers lost to the Toronto Raptors in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, pushing the eventual champions as hard as any other team did, which should give them confidence entering the season.

They lost JJ Redick to the Pelicans in free agency and have traded Butler, but they signed Tobias Harris to a long-term extension, Horford to a massive deal, and they’re getting back at least Richardson. They’re also looking to extend Ben Simmons.

Philly is in prime position to contend in the East.