76ers GM still has faith in Fultz after landing Butler

Trading for Jimmy Butler didn't just add another star to the Philadelphia 76ers' roster - it also gave them another high-usage player who could take away touches from 2017 No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz.

General manager Elton Brand said acquiring Butler doesn't mean the team's downgraded its expectations for Fultz's development.

"Not at all," Brand said Tuesday, according to ESPN's Ian Begley. "It wasn't a changed view of Markelle's future. It was more of a changed view of being able to get a superstar right now and seeing where other teams were. There are some really talented teams (in the Eastern Conference). ... It was just a chance to have our team take another leap."

The 76ers parted with stretch forwards Dario Saric and Robert Covington in the deal for the ball-dominant Butler as Fultz's well-documented shooting struggles continue. The sophomore combo guard double-clutched a free throw during Monday's 124-114 win over the Miami Heat.

Butler, for his part, is confident Fultz will get over what he considers a mental block.

"He's a talented young player," Butler said of Fultz. "From what I can tell, a lot of things are mental. In this league, I think 90 percent of it is mental. If you think you can do something, you really can.

"I know how hard he works because I'm in L.A. (where Fultz) trains. (The people who train with Fultz) tell me how great he wants to be. As long as he goes hard and he's giving it all every day, the guy has my respect. I just want him to go out there, play hard, be who he is, stick to his strengths, and I know he's just going to thrive - he's going to be successful."

Fultz is averaging nine points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 24.3 minutes this season. Butler is expected to debut for the Sixers on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic.