Well, if this is true, I can only applaud Chicago Bulls wingman Jimmy Butler.
Butler is a restricted free agent, so he does have time to try and work out a deal with the Bulls, but according to reports earlier before the season, Butler wanted to play this season out and earn his contract at the end of the season.
He wanted to “Bet on himself”, but the Bulls were ready to take the risk.
From Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times:
According to a source, Butler turned down a four-year, $40 million-plus offer from the Bulls. After watching Klay Thompson get the max four-year, $70 million contract from the Warriors, Butler was willing to test the market as a restricted free agent and force the Bulls to make the tough decision.
Through the first 15 games, he’s averaging a team-high 21.6 points and 1.62 steals to go along with 6.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists.
He’s well on his way to stardom. Just don’t tell Butler.
“I’m not a star,’’ Butler said. “I’m a good role player on a really, really good team, a really, really deep team. I like being a role player. Star has never been next to Jimmy Butler’s name. It never will be. I’ll always be an under-the-radar dawg.’’
Love that quote by Butler. He doesn’t think he’s a star, he thinks he’s a good player. He knows his game and how he fits with the Bulls. The only question is, will another team look at Butler as more than just a role player and offer him that max money? Only time will tell, but with the way that Butler is playing and at his young age, I don’t see why a team wouldn’t want to give butler some great money. Especially if he continues to shine in the absence of Derrick Rose.
