The Sixers Thought They Had Moved On From the Past – But the Missing Piece Embiid Lost Has Suddenly Come Back to Haunt the Entire Team

Philadelphia 76ers fans woke up this week to a painful reminder of the past — the day Jimmy Butler slipped away. A new CBS Sports ranking of the top 25 free-agent signings of the 21st century has once again reignited the conversation around the Sixers’ decision to prioritize Tobias Harris and Al Horford over Butler. For many in Philadelphia, it’s not just history. It’s a wound that has never fully healed.

A Ranking That Stings for Philadelphia

On Wednesday, CBS Sports’ Robby Kalland unveiled his list of the 25 most impactful free-agent signings since the year 2000. The criteria were simple but ruthless: how much the player’s arrival elevated his team to true contention. Sitting at No. 9 on the list was Jimmy Butler’s 2019 sign-and-trade move from Philadelphia to Miami. For Sixers supporters, seeing Butler’s name there was more than just a reminder of what could have been. It was a confirmation that the organization’s choice to let him walk may have altered the trajectory of Joel Embiid’s prime years.

Butler’s tenure with the Heat was nothing short of transformative. He carried Miami to two NBA Finals appearances and another Eastern Conference Finals, all while earning the nickname “Playoff Jimmy” for his unmatched ability to elevate his game when the stakes were highest. While the Heat never captured a championship during his run, Butler’s impact placed him among the most successful signings of the century. Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, Embiid continued to shoulder the burden without the running mate who may have been the perfect fit.

Why Did the Sixers Choose Tobias Harris Over Jimmy Butler?

This is the question that refuses to go away. In the summer of 2019, Philadelphia’s front office faced a decision. They had to choose which stars to commit to long-term. In a move that has aged like sour milk, the Sixers decided to invest heavily in Tobias Harris and Al Horford, allowing Butler to slip into Miami’s hands. For a franchise that was banking on Embiid’s dominance, the decision has been scrutinized endlessly by fans and analysts alike.

Harris has been a solid contributor but never the elite closer that Butler has proven to be. Horford, meanwhile, struggled to fit alongside Embiid and Ben Simmons, and his contract became one of the most criticized in the league. The ripple effects are still felt today as the Sixers continue their hunt for a championship while Embiid, the reigning MVP, edges deeper into his prime years.

The Philadelphia Pit Stop

Butler’s stint in Philadelphia was short but unforgettable. During the 2018–2019 season, he averaged 18.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists across 55 games. More importantly, he was the Sixers’ closer — the player who wanted the ball in his hands with the game on the line. His leadership and toughness instantly resonated with the city’s blue-collar mentality.

Everything came to a head in the dramatic Game 7 against the Toronto Raptors, when Kawhi Leonard’s bouncing buzzer-beater ended Philadelphia’s playoff run in heartbreaking fashion. That shot didn’t just end a season — it ended an era. Butler left that summer, and the Sixers have been chasing a Finals berth ever since.

Miami Found the Perfect Fit

For Butler, the move to Miami was more than just a change of scenery. It was a chance to be the unquestioned leader of a team built around his relentless mentality. From the moment he arrived, he reshaped the Heat’s culture, guiding them to the NBA Finals in the 2020 bubble and once again in 2023. His ability to dominate against higher-seeded teams cemented his status as one of the league’s premier postseason performers.

Miami fans embraced him as their heartbeat, while Sixers fans could only watch from afar, wondering how different things might have been if Philadelphia had made a different choice.

The Broader Context: LeBron James Still at No. 1

While Butler’s signing ranked inside the top 10, the list’s top spot went — unsurprisingly — to LeBron James. His moves to the Miami Heat in 2010, the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014, and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 were deemed the most impactful signings in modern NBA history. Each decision reshaped the league and delivered championships. James’ shadow looms large over every Eastern Conference contender during the 2010s, and the Sixers were no exception. Even if Butler had stayed, LeBron’s dominance may have stood in their way.

What This Means for Joel Embiid’s Legacy

The conversation isn’t really about Jimmy Butler anymore. It’s about Joel Embiid’s championship window. The reigning MVP has been one of the most dominant players in the league, yet the Sixers still haven’t made it past the second round of the playoffs in his era. Many wonder if Butler could have been the difference-maker, the co-star who thrived in crunch time while Embiid battled in the paint.

Instead, Embiid has cycled through teammates: Ben Simmons, Tobias Harris, James Harden, and most recently Tyrese Maxey stepping into a larger role. None of them have matched Butler’s combination of grit, scoring, and leadership. The “what if” hangs heavy over Philadelphia.

A Painful Reminder for Fans

The CBS Sports ranking wasn’t just a list. It was a reminder — a harsh one — that the Sixers once had the piece they might still be searching for. For fans, it’s the latest in a long line of “almosts” that have defined the Embiid era. Butler’s success in Miami underscores how fleeting championship opportunities can be and how one wrong decision can haunt a franchise for years.

Looking Ahead

The Sixers enter each season with high expectations, and Embiid’s dominance ensures they will always be in the conversation. But as long as Butler’s name continues to appear in conversations about the greatest signings of the modern era, Philadelphia fans will be left wondering if their team let a championship slip away.

Was Jimmy Butler the one that got away? For Sixers Nation, the answer feels more certain with each passing year.