Now here’s something that’s long overdue. Finally the Chicago Bulls are thinking about lashing Jimmy Butler the money he deserves the glorious max deal.
The news comes from Dan Feldman of ProBasketballTalk.
Because Butler will be a restricted free agent this summer, the Bulls knew they could lowball him in contract-extension negotiations. That’s the time to try for a team-friendly contract.
They could always offer more in the offseason, and it seems that’s what they’ll do.The Bulls already have $62,590,142 committed to Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic, Kirk Hinrich, Doug McDermott, Jimmy Butler, Tony Snell and Richard Hamilton’s cap hit for next season. Add four minimum salaries to fill out the roster, and Chicago falls just $14,320,754 short of the projected luxury-tax line. Butler’s projected max salary is $15,856,500.
The Chicago Bulls are really cutting it close if they get this deal done. I forgot they had Tony Snell and Richard Hamilton in their roster to be honest.
I think with a little free agency magic. They can get this deal done without any luxury tax implications. It is also clear that the Chicago Bulls have found a balance now that Derrick Rose has found a stretch of healthy basketball (discounting the terrible shooting recently). I said that they’ll go to the NBA Finals this year and if they don’t this year. I can certainly see them getting the job done next season.
