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Jimmy Butler could have knee surgery after NBA season

By Jason Parker

Jan 31, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) dribbles the ball during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. The Clippers won 120-93. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) dribbles the ball during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. The Clippers won 120-93. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago Bulls star Jimmy Butler hasn’t ruled out having surgery on his left knee after the 2015-16 NBA season is over.

For the past few seasons, Jimmy Butler has gone from being a role player for the Chicago Bulls to, most likely, the best player on the roster. That fact has been more noticeably with his struggles of late, something that has contributed to the Bulls being on the outside looking in at the Eastern Conference playoff standings with just three weeks left in the season.

Jimmy Butler has been dealing with an injury to his left knee, but hasn’t given more information on it as the season has gone on. Recently, Butler visited with renowned sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Florida and, during an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, wouldn’t rule out the idea of having a surgery performed after the season comes to an end and admitted he’s not the same player:

"“Is my knee the same as it was before the injury? No. But I want to play, man. And at times I feel like I’m hurting this team. That’s the most disappointing part because I’m not the player I was. I don’t know if there’s something really wrong in there, but it’s not really right, either.”"

Since seeing Dr. Andrews, Jimmy Butler is averaging under 15 points a game and shooting less than 40 percent from the field in seven games. Right now, the Bulls sit one and a half games back of the Detroit Pistons for the eight spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race with 11 game left in the season.

Butler was selected for his second All-Star game this season and was considered by many to be the man to take the title of “franchise player” for the Bulls from another star with knee issues, Derrick Rose.

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