Chicago Bulls Rumors: Did Klay Thompson Mess Things Up?
By Ronald Agers
Welcome back to another session of Chicago Bulls rumors, the top segment of Pippen Ain’t Easy, your best choice for Chicago Bulls rumors, news, previews and reviews. There are going to be a ton of rumors concerning Jimmy Butler and other players throughout the year and Pippen Ain’t Easy will be there to see if it’s reality or fantasy.
Well Chicago Bulls fans, the landscape of Jimmy Butler’s contract negotiations has changed forever.
Maybe for the worst.
It has been reported from numerous outlets including Pippen Ain’t Easy that Jimmy Butler rejected the Chicago Bulls’ last contract extension offer. After extensive talks throughout the offseason, don’t look for any agreement to come.
Check out the report from Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
"Adrian Wojnarowski@WojYahooNBAJimmy Butler rejects Chicago’s final offer on extension, tells Yahoo: “I want to bet on myself.”5:33 PM 31 Oct 2014"
Okay, it’s a wrap. When Adrian Wojnarowski talks, I listen.
Oct 11, 2014; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) reacts after dunking a basket in the second quarter during pre-season game against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
According to Yahoo! Sports, the Chicago Bulls made their last offer on Monday. So now here’s the situation, Jimmy Butler will become a restricted free agent this summer. The Bulls can try and match the offer, but remember if a team offers Jimmy Butler a max deal, the Bulls may have no choice but to let him walk.
Another sweetener to a possible deal that another team can include a player option on a three year deal that would allow Butler to become a unrestricted free agent in 2017.
TV deal anyone?
What does Jimmy Butler’s camp think about this situation overall…
Jimmy Butler to Yahoo! Sports…
"“It was about me believing that I put the work in this summer to become a better player with the hope that my improvement will give the Bulls a better chance to win a championship.”"
Jimmy Butler’s agent Happy Walters to Yahoo! Sports…
"“All the [rookie extension] deals done so far have shown that teams are building around their stars for the future, and they’re compensating those players as such,” Walters told Yahoo Sports! on Friday. “I was under the impression Jimmy was also viewed as one of those future building blocks with the Bulls.“We tried like heck to get something done, but ultimately, the Bulls wanted a ‘hometown’ discount. While understandable, I doubt their GM or coaches give Mr. Reinsdorf a discount when negotiating their own deals."
Shots fired. I guess that $11-12 million dollar offer just wasn’t Butler’s cup of tea. It probably happened after the Minnesota Timberwolves signed resident brick layer Ricky Rubio to a four year $56 million dollar deal. Anything less than that number probably would be an insult.
October 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) drives to the basket against Los Angeles Clippers guard Jared Cunningham (9) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Clippers 125-107. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
But how about Klay Thompson’s deal.
Golden State gift wrapped Thompson a four year $70 million dollar deal.
Really? Stephen Curry doesn’t make that much and he’s the star of the team!
I know when word got out about this deal, the Bulls had no chance in the world of signing Jimmy Butler to one of those ‘hometown’ discounts. Also based on these comments above, the Jimmy Butler camp is not happy at all with the Chicago Bulls and their negotiation tactics.
Believe it or not, it the Chicago Bulls don’t pony up anywhere from $56-70 million dollars, Jimmy Butler is gone.
Pippen Ain’t Easy will be covering the aftermath of an epic game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Go ahead let me have it. Kirk Hinrich was ballin! Keep it locked to Pippen Ain’t Easy for all your Chicago Bulls news, previews and reviews.
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