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Chicago Bulls’ Jimmy Butler to get four-year deal worth $35-40 million?

By Andrew Melnick

One prominent NBA writer expects Jimmy Butler to sign a four-year deal worth between $35 and $40 million with the Chicago Bulls. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
One prominent NBA writer expects Jimmy Butler to sign a four-year deal worth between $35 and $40 million with the Chicago Bulls. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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One prominent NBA writer expects Jimmy Butler to sign a four-year deal worth between $35 and $40 million with the Chicago Bulls.

Chicago Bulls’ swingman Jimmy Butler is a hard-working, defensive minded player. In other words, he is exactly what head coach Tom Thibodeau wants in a player.

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Jimmy Butler, like the rest of the class of 2011, is eligible for an extension. Several players including Cleveland Cavaliers’ point guard Kyrie Irving, the Morris twins, Markieff and Marcus of the Phoenix Suns and most recently, Denver Nuggets’ power forward Kenneth Faried.

Jimmy Butler is probably looking at a deal similar to Markieff Morris’ four-year, $32 million deal. According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, that’s probably about as good as Butler can do right now. If he wants a bigger deal, Kyler believes he will likely have to play out this year and become a restricted free agent next year. Otherwise, he predicts a four-year deal worth between $35 and $40 million.

That, however, is a risk for both sides. Jimmy Butler saw his shooting regress last season and if that happens again, he may lose money. From the Bull’s perspective, Jimmy Butler could have a career season on offense, lock down opposing wings and earn a lot more money. Then they’d risk having to give Jimmy Butler a much bigger deal or perhaps risk losing him.

Jimmy Butler averaged 13.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 39.7% from the field, 28.3% from beyond the arc and 76.9% from the free throw line last season. He has averaged 8.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 42.5% from the floor, 30.9% from three and 78.2% from the charity stripe in his three-year NBA career.

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