The Chicago Bulls are primed to be one of the top threats to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference, and shooting guard Jimmy Butler is a big reason why. Butler can become a restricted free agent at the end of the season, but the Bulls have until October 31 to work out an extension.
Butler broke out in 2012-13, shooting 38 percent from beyond the 3-point line and playing elite defense against opposing wing scorers. He was relied upon more last season on offense, but the results weren't favorable. Butler's scoring went up to 13.1 points per game, but he shot just 39 percent from the field, down from 46 percent the previous season. His 3-point shooting also cratered, with Butler hitting just 28 percent of his long-range attempts.
Butler's defense is still top-notch at his position though, a crucial element for any player in coach Tom Thibodeau's system. With Derrick Rose coming off multiple knee injuries, and Luol Deng gone, Butler is an important cog in Chicago's perimeter defense. For that reason, the Bulls can't afford Butler's negotiations to become a distraction.
"I want to be here," Butler said. "I think the Bulls want me here. So however long it takes, as long as we get it worked out. Basketball is my main focus, not really the contract situation."
Thibodeau said that he has encouraged Butler to focus on his play on the court, not the contract talks.
"That's the business side," Thibodeau said. "Hopefully that gets taken care of by his agent. Gar [Forman] and John [Paxson] handle that along with [owner] Jerry [Reinsdorf], of course. The important thing for Jimmy is to take care of what he can control, which is how he plays. And I think winning helps build value. So the more we win the higher his value is. He's critical for our team, he's got a great approach. We don't want him to change."
One way for Butler to increase his value should a deal not be reached would be to re-establish himself as an offensive threat, which Rose said Butler's working on.
"You can't tell by the way he's been practicing," Rose said. "He's been shooting the ball after practice just trying to take it more serious, and that's all you can ask for him. This year he's huge for us because we're really going to need him to make that consistent outside shot, and I think teams are not ready for it."
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