NBA Rumors: Butler Posts Thank You Note That Left Sixers Nation Baffled

Jimmy Butler will head into an interesting NBA offseason knowing he is sure to be dangled a max contract by any team, including his current one which is the Philadelphia 76ers. The name of the 29-year-old swingman has frequented the rumor mill, most speculating on where his next stop will be in the event he opts to leave the City of Brotherly Love.

The Sixers were booted out of the NBA playoffs by the Toronto Raptors, courtesy of a crazy shot by Kawhi Leonard. That broke the hearts of Sixers fans, not to mentioned Joel Embiid who broke down in tears in an emotional end. Regardless, it was a remarkable run by the 76ers, the best finish since they ventured out "The Process" which began all the way back in 2013. That said, it will be interesting if Butler will embrace "The Process" era and stay on in Philly.

With the NBA season over and done with, Butler was among multiple players closing the book. He thanked the city of Philadelphia for the last seven months on his Instagram account although this has now sent off different indications. Aware that the four-time NBA All-Star can opt to pass on his $19.8 million option and pursue a max contract, Sixers fans are now doing their own speculations on what may happen next.

The thing here is that he did not actually say goodbye. He says that he has not thought about his next move (for now), hinting that any decision he would be making would likely be reserved for later.

If money is to be the basis, Butler's best bet would be to stay on with the Sixers. Philadelphia can offer him a five-year $188 million deal compared to other teams who can cough up only $141 million. But it seems this is not the only thing that the 30th overall pick of the 2011 NBA Draft is looking for. Rather, he wants to be with a team that can win and being able to get along with coaches and teammates, the Bleacher Report reported.

"You always want to be able to win, that's key for sure," Butler told reporters on Monday. "You're looking at coaches, you're looking at the city. There's a lot that goes into it."

Butler had a rough start with the Sixers, some camps worried on how he could get along with young players. He was not able to get along with Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins when he was still in Minnesota although his relationship with some of the players have not be getting out of hand. Again, this is expected to be another factor.