Jimmy Butler is seeking a one-year near maximum deal according to Los Angles Daily News’ Mark Medina.
It’s clear Jimmy Butler is playing the Bulls to receive the deal he’s been seeking from day one. However, the CBA is clearly working against Butler which could hurt or help him depending on what his true angle is. The CBA won’t allow Butler to sign a one-year deal with Lakers if it’s maximum money. Also, if he decides to sign with the Lakers on a short-term deal of three years, there can be no team or player option at any point of that deal.
Scenario 1: Jimmy Butler wants to stay in Chicago but also wants to sign a short-term deal. This scenario is probably the most probable from all the scenarios presented. Butler wants to remain with the Bulls but the front office is unwilling to offer a short-term deal. They’re trying to lock Jimmy up at a maximum offer so he doesn’t qualify for the new salary cap maximum for another 4 years. The only way Jimmy can get his short-term offer with the Bulls is if he gets the Lakers to offer him a deal so the Bulls are forced to match. A win-win for Jimmy, a win-lose for the Bulls.
Scenario 2: This is the more unlikely but still possible scenario. Jimmy Butler wants to be a Laker at the end of the day. Butler grew up in the warmer regions of America; it’s possible the cold is getting to him. It’s possible he wants to enjoy the Hollywood life with his new friend Mark Wahlberg while getting paid a maximum salary. It’s possible he believes Thibodeau will end up there as a coach one day and is looking forward for a reunion with his former coach. It’s possible he’s not a fan of the coaching change in Chicago. It’s possible the Rose-Butler beef has truth behind it. All those things are possible; but none of them will keep him out of Chicago if he decides to add his signature on any contract this summer. Whatever deal he signs, the Bulls can and will match that offer forcing Butler to stay. If Butler truly wanted out of Chicago, he’d take the tender of $4.4 million and remain with the Bulls until next season where he’d be a unrestricted free-agent.
