Pippen Ain't Easy
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Projecting Jimmy Butler’s Potential Offseason Deal with Bulls

By Michael Whitlow

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After “betting on himself” and winning, Chicago Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler is in line for a huge new contract. But, how much is the 2014-15 NBA Most Improved Player worth? Hint: A lot.

Around seven months ago, Jimmy Butler turned down a four-year contract extension offer from the Chicago Bulls and officially entered restricted free agency after the 2014-15 season.

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“It came down to me wanting to bet on myself,” Butler told Yahoo Sports NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski in a text message back in October.

Butler not only bet on himself and won, he had the best season of his young career and became the first Bulls player to win the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award.

The Bulls are in the heart of a playoff run, and a huge reason why the Bulls are in title contention is the two-way play of Jimmy Butler.

With that being said, CBS Chicago’s Cody Westerlund tweeted out some numbers in terms of what the Bulls can offer Butler after the playoffs end.

With rumors circulating of the Los Angeles Lakers wanting to bring Butler in this offseason, these numbers are vital in keeping Butler in a Bulls uniform.

Not only can the Bulls offer Butler $25 million more than anyone else can, according to Westerlund, Butler has already stated that he wants to remain a Bull after this offseason.

Plus, why would Butler want to venture off into the abyss, when he can stay with the team who drafted him and play with a title contender in the “easier” Eastern Conference?

The Bulls have been notoriously “cheap” in years past with free agency, but the move to re-sign Butler to a max deal should be a no-brainer.

Plus, the Bulls front office has said they would “match” any offer thrown at Butler by other teams back in January, even max-deal offers.

If the Bulls need any influence as to why they should match any free agency offer from other teams, they should recall that Butler’s averaging 22.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in this year’s postseason, while guarding LeBron James the entire time he’s been on the floor in their series with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Also, two-way guard Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors received a four-year, $70 million extension near the beginning of the season, while this year’s NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award winner Kawhi Leonard is in line for a huge max contract as well.

It’ll be interesting what the money range will be from bidders who want Butler’s services.

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