Keith Pompey at the Inquirer:

It’s no secret that the 76ers are closely monitoring Jimmy Butler’s contract situation with the Miami Heat.

The Sixers view him as a fallback option if they are unable to sign Paul George in free agency.

And, according to sources, the Sixers are prepared to give Butler a maximum-salary extension if things align and he forces a trade out of Miami.

Butler, who turns 35 on Sept. 14, has $48.8 million guaranteed for next season and a player option for $52.2 million for the 2025-26 season. The former Sixer wants a two-year maximum extension for $113 million. There had been reports that Miami may look to trade the small forward rather than give him an extension.

Maxing Jimmy at age 35 instead of age 29 would be one of the most Philadelphia things ever. Right up there with the #1 overall draft pick passing up a layup in a Game 7 at home. Oh yeah, and you have to give up assets to bring back a guy who was injured in the play-in tournament and did not play in the first round series against the Celtics.

All of these scenarios for the Sixers totally blow. Maxing a 34 year old Paul George? Trading for Jimmy Butler and then giving him a max extension? Drafting LeBron’s son in an effort to lure him here? Honestly, option four or option five sounds much better.

Option four is to surround Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey with the best role players out there. Look at what the Mavericks are getting from Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington. The Pacers got to the conference finals with guys like T.J. McConnell, Andrew Nembhard, and Aaron Nesmith. The Knicks had Josh Hart looking like Dennis Rodman on the glass. Go sign every Malik Beasley, Malik Monk, and Gary Trent Jr. you can find. Surround your two stars with above-average players and pray that Embiid stays healthy for the first time ever.

Option five is trading Joel Embiid for a guard and building around that person and Tyrese Maxey. Just replicate what the Mavs and Celtics are doing. Two elite perimeter players who can generate their own looks and let everybody else grind. People will laugh, but I’m serious. Joel Embiid’s skill set is not the greatest fit for playoff basketball.