The Chicago Bulls offered Jimmy Butler $11 million per season but he opted to bet on himself and test NBA restricted free agency
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The Chicago Bulls hoped to lock up swignman Jimmy Butler before last week’s deadline to extend players taken i the 2011 NBA Draft. Unfortunately for the two sides, they couldn’t come to terms on a deal.
The Bulls reportedly were looking to offer Butler a deal worth between $9 million and $10 million per season. That usually wouldn’t be a bad price for Butler, who struggled offensively last season. However, both Butler and the Bulls know he can and almost certainly will be a much better player and with the new television deal on the way, Butler will command a much bigger contract. The Bulls reportedly tried to offer just that.
According to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, the Bulls offered Butler $11 million annually.
"It’s very possible. The Bulls actually increased their offer to $11 million annually, which is what Jimmy was targeting early on. However, after playing well in the preseason, feeling much better than last year when his toe was bothering him and realizing that he’ll put up better numbers alongside a healthy Derrick Rose, Butler felt comfortable betting on himself. He believes that the $11 million per year offer will be there next summer, so he might as well try to play his way into a max or near-max deal."
In his career he’s 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. He is having a fantastic start to this season, averaging 19.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 51.4% from the field, 20.0% from three and 73.3% from the foul line.
So far, it looks like Butler may be making the right decision.
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