Chicago Bulls two-way guard Jimmy Butler badly wants to be a Los Angeles Laker, according to reports. The problem is that he's only a restricted free agent, and the Bulls plan on matching any offers.
Butler entered the league primarily as a defensive weapon, and his value increased in head coach Tom Thibodeau's scheme. Butler has the length, size and quickness to guard any of the perimeter positions, and last season his offense made strides and matched his D.
As a primary option for long stretches of the year, Butler averaged 20 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists, while knocking down 37.8 percent of his 3-point attempts. He was an 83 percent shooter from the line, and got to the charity stripe more than seven times per game. When Derrick Rose was healthy, however, he and Butler reportedly clashed. Now Thibodeau is gone as well, meaning Butler may not carry the same value to the Bulls he once did.
The Bulls reportedly don't want to let Butler go, chemistry issues and all. The Los Angeles Daily News reported that Butler would like to sign a one-year deal in Los Angeles and take advantage of the expanding salary cap. He would likely have even more earning power then in Los Angeles; this year could be a tough fit with Kobe Bryant still entrenched at shooting guard and No. 2 overall pick D'Angelo Russell manning the point. Butler could play small forward however, and Bryant is rumored to be retiring after next season. In that scenario, Butler could sign a huge max contract to be Bryant's heir apparent, and receive that crucial fifth-year for the retaining team.
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