Jimmy Butler took the money. It’s certainly hard to blame him.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, Butler has agreed to a five-year, $95 million deal to remain with the Chicago Bulls.
Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls finalizing a five-year, $95M maximum contract with player option after four years, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2015
There were rumors last month that Butler might not be long for Chicago. The restricted free agent was apparently seeking a short-term deal to take advantage of the coming salary cap boom, and reportedly had significant interest in joining the Los Angeles Lakers, too. Chicago, however, limited Butler’s options earlier this week by tendering him a five-year maximum qualifying offer, making it impossible for him to sign any deal for less than three years with a competing club.
In the interim, many wondered whether or not the first-time All-Star might play 2015-2016 on a one-year qualifying offer and enter the unrestricted free agency fray next summer with the cap at $90 million. Butler’s refusal of a lucrative extension before 2014-2015 certainly supported that possibility, as did his supposed desire to leave the Bulls.
But long-term security won out in the end. Congratulations to Butler for his major payday, and Chicago for locking up a potential franchise cornerstone.
[Via Adrian Wojnarowski]
