Jimmy Butler’s future in Chicago has been uncertain since he signed a new deal to stay with the team. Even at the last trade deadline, there were plenty of rumors surrounding his immediate future with the team.
Meanwhile, the Bulls have been a near disaster this season, not matching their self-set expectations as the team struggles on both ends of the court. Butler has had an MVP-caliber individual season but has not had nearly the level of necessary team success.
Despite the strange and unsuccessful season, Butler is saying all the right things, seemingly maturing as a leader, something that has been a criticism of him in years back.
In an interview with ESPN’s Sam Alipour, Butler was asked whether he would like to finish his career in Chicago:
Yes. I can’t see what tomorrow will bring, but I love it here. You know, they took a risk on a kid that was not very good with the 30th pick in the 2011 draft, so I feel like I owe the city the little amount of talent that I have on that basketball court. I love it here. I love these people. I want to be here.
Bulls fans should be ecstatic to hear this. Butler has gone through a lot with the Bulls and he shouldn’t have much trust towards the Bulls’ front office. But he’s still willing to commit to staying in Chicago long term.
Of course, things can change in an instant in the NBA and this doesn’t necessarily mean anything. But it’s a promising sign for a franchise that can’t get out of its own way.
