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If Jimmy Butler Walks, Then What’s Next for Bulls?

By Michael Whitlow

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Jimmy Butler became one of the NBA’s best two-way players this season, and it happened at a perfect time for the 25-year-old wing. If Butler doesn’t receive his big payday from the team that drafted him, what would be the next move for the Chicago Bulls?

Before everyone freaks out, let me make it clear when I say this: Jimmy Butler will most likely sign a max deal with the Bulls this summer and remain in Chicago for the prime years of his career.

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But, there’s nothing wrong with looking at the big picture for the Bulls, one that could possibly not include Jimmy Butler.

On top of filling some backup roles on the roster, the Bulls’ biggest need this summer is to re-sign Butler.

Not only did Butler become the first Most Improved Player Award winner in Bulls history, the star wing from Marquette averaged a career-high 20 points per game and became a viable offensive option for the Bulls this season.

With that being said, Bulls fans know and understand how … er, “frugal” the front office has been in the past. (See Korver, Kyle.) On top of trying to find cap room for Butler’s new deal, the rumored tension between Butler and Rose during the Bulls’ final game of the season against Cleveland last month makes you wonder what the Bulls plan to do with Butler.

Yeah, I know, infamous CBS Chicago columnist Dan Bernstein (and well-known Derrick Rose critic) was the one who basically brought the Butler/Rose tension rumor to the light. However, when you go back and watch that Game 6 loss for the Bulls (I suggest only doing it once because it’s tough), something just doesn’t seem right with Rose and Butler are on the floor together.

There’s also another “what if” that can be added to the potential departure of Butler this summer: the NBA Draft in 15 days. The Bulls have the 22nd pick — their only pick of the night right now — and there’s a possibility the Bulls could draft a wing such as Virginia’s Justin Anderson or Arizona’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in that position.

Sure, the Bulls have wing depth with Butler currently on the roster, last year’s first-round pick Doug McDermott, Tony Snell, a 3/4 hybrid in Nikola Mirotic and Mike Dunleavy, who is also a free agent this summer. If Dunleavy walks, which is certainly a legit possibility at the age of 34, and Butler follows him out the door, the Bulls will be limited on the wing.

Once again, I’ll say this: Jimmy Butler will most likely sign a max deal with the Bulls this summer and remain in Chicago for the prime years of his career.

Many have mentioned how the benchwarmers in the Tom Thibodeau era (Snell and McDermott specifically) can really elevate their games in Fred Hoiberg fast and free-flowing offensive system.

What about a versatile swingman like Butler that will see more minutes if he stays in Chicago?

When you watch Hoiberg’s ISU teams play in the past, two things are clear:

  1. His guard play dictates how the game will go. When guys like Monte Morris and DeAndre Kane played well, Iowa State was that much more dangerous.
  2. A do-it-all power forward that filled the stat sheet on a nightly basis like Royce White and Georges Niang were just as vital in the offense as Hoiberg’s lead guards.

I’m not saying there isn’t a place in Hoiberg’s system for Butler, but he shouldn’t expect as many touches as he got this past season on offense. Hoiberg’s offense relies on moving without the ball and getting multiple guys involved in the act.

Look at Hoiberg’s last three seasons in Ames. His starting five all averaged double-figures, along with the Cyclones averaging 16.2 assists per game, tied for 10th in all of college basketball last season.

For the final time, I’ll say this: Jimmy Butler will most likely sign a max deal with the Bulls this summer and remain in Chicago for the prime years of his career.

Butler’s too talented of a player to not match any offer sheet thrown his way from teams this summer. Plus, no team can offer more money to Butler than the Bulls can for his new contract.

However, the NBA is a business, and if the Bulls front office feels that paying Jimmy Butler northward of $80 million over the next five seasons isn’t best for business, then be prepared for a big picture without Butler.

Next: Rumor: Bulls interested in Portland guard Wesley Matthews?

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