Now that the trade deadline has passed, teams that are on the borderline of the playoff picture will have to tighten their focus moving forward. After trading away veteran forward Taj Gibson and sharpshooter Doug McDermett to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Chicago Bulls will be focused on turning the tide in the second half of the season.
Subsequently, Jimmy Butler, the leader of the Bulls found his name in trade rumors for a good portion right before the trade deadline ended. Although Butler is arguably the Bulls’ best player, the idea of the Bulls moving Butler was a puzzling one to most. However, Butler himself wasn’t phased by the rumors and has turned his focus on the Bulls’ success moving forward this season.
Following from Nick Friedell of ESPN.
“You can always be moved,” Butler said after Friday’s shootaround. “I’m just here. I came in and practiced really well. I enjoyed my break. So I’m in high spirits right now.”
As for his future with the Bulls, Butler continued to keep a positive outlook on things and reassured his loyalty to everyone in the Bulls’ organization.
“I can’t think too far ahead or too far behind,” Butler said. “I know that, right now, this is the organization I want to be with. These are the guys I want to compete with. These are the coaches I want to play for. That’s all that I can really focus on. When everything else comes up then we’ll worry about that, but right now I’m not going nowhere, baby.”
Currently 7th in the Eastern conference, the Chicago Bulls must rely on Jimmy Butler to lead them moving forward and hopefully climb up the East’s standings.
