Report: Joel Embiid Pushed 76ers for Jimmy Butler Trade Before Paul George Contract

Joel Embiid reportedly tried to get the Philadelphia 76ers to bring back a former teammate over the offseason.

Per Yahoo Sports' Vincent Goodwill, the 76ers "tried to engage Miami" on a deal for Heat star Jimmy Butler before making an eventual deal with Paul George. Embiid reportedly "wanted a reunion with Butler" and "pushed for it," according to Goodwill.

The report of Embiid and the 76ers' pursuit of Butler comes after ESPN's Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst reported that the six-time All-Star "indicated" to Miami that he wants the team to trade him on Thursday.

Before that report from Charania and Windhorst, Butler alluded to a trade request in his postgame press conference following the Heat's loss to the Indiana Pacers.

"I want to see me getting my joy back playing basketball. Wherever that may be, we'll find out here pretty soon," Butler said on Thursday. "I'm happy here off the court, but I want to be back to somewhat dominant, I want to hoop and I want to help this team win, and right now I'm not doing it."

Butler was asked whether he could find his joy on the court with the Heat, to which he responded, "probably not."

Butler, who has led Miami to a pair of Finals appearances over the last five seasons, is having his worst season in over a decade. He's putting up just 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game as the Heat have started the year 17-15.

It's clear Butler needs something to help him find his spark on the floor, and a change of scenery could be the best option.

According to Charania and Windhorst, Butler did not give the Heat a list of preferred destinations and is "open to playing anywhere other than Miami." Perhaps the 76ers, who dropped to 13-19 with a 139-105 walloping from the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, will re-engage in conversations with Miami about Butler.

Butler's time in Philadelphia was short as he played just 55 regular season games and 12 postseason games. He departed for the Heat after less than a full season with the 76ers despite the team reportedly offering him a five-year, $190 million max contract.

While Philadelphia couldn't find much success with Butler—it reached the Eastern Conference semifinals—the 76ers could put in a bid in the coming weeks as they look for something to help turn their season around.