Jimmy Butler Wants To Stay With Bulls; Lakers Will Offer Max Deal

USA Today

One of the biggest names on the NBA free agent market this summer will be Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls. Butler will be a restricted free agent meaning the Bulls can match any offer from another team, but even though Chicago is intent on keeping the rising star, the offers will come regardless.

Butler was recently asked about his intentions this summer and if he’s considering leaving Chicago when the offers start pouring in. The reigning NBA’s Most Improved Player said the following in an appearance on ESPN’s SportsNation, via Chicago Sun-Times:

“I like it [in Chicago]. They gave me a chance, coming out of Marquette. No one else did, and they did with the 30th pick in 2011. So I have a lot of love for them.”

The Los Angeles Lakers will likely be among the teams expressing interest in Butler once he officially becomes a restricted free agent in July. Los Angeles will be extremely active in free agency, but it remains uncertain if they’ll have any chance of landing Butler or another other big-name for that matter.

Chicago may be in for a few drastic changes during the offseason. Rumors of the team’s desire to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau have been circulating for quite some time. The consensus seems to be Thibodeau will be let go at some point over the next few months potentially impacting the desire of players like Butler to stay with the team long-term.

Along with Butler, there will be quite a few talented restricted free agents this summer including Khris Middleton, Tobias Harris, Draymond Green, Brandon Knight, Reggie Jackson, Enes Kanter, Patrick Beverley and Kawhi Leonard.