With the NBA Finals officially over, all eyes now sift to free agency and Jimmy Butler is one of the biggest names to headline this year's class of players. The Chicago Bulls star has done nothing but up his value big time this season and he is expected to get paid accordingly. While most assume that Butler is ready to command a top-dollar contract, will that be the case when the offer sheets start rolling in?
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, Butler might not be looking to sign a max contract and instead will pursue short-term offer sheets. Butler is likely looking to benefit from the increased salary caps after the NBA tv deals fall into place. Wojnarowski writes that because of that, Butler is resisting the idea of locking himself into a five-year, $90 million max contract. He would prefer a shorter deal that will then come with a bigger pay raise with the cap space expands.
Regardless of what Butler wants, the Bulls hold the upper hand with the ability to match any offer placed on Butler. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, retaining Butler is the top priority for the team while the star has been eyeing teams like the Los Angeles Lakers where he could take over being a star. Chicago could come with a short-term contract that offers long-term earning. He could sign a three-year offer sheet that guarantees $50 million while allowing Butler to opt out of the third year and move on as an unrestricted free agent. It could be the favorable deal.
Getting Butler to a smaller contract might help retain certain players that have had their name tossed around in trade rumors. According to the Sun Times, both Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson are at risk of trade talk this offseason while LatinoPost.com believes Derrick Rose might be offered up, especially if Butler returns. There has been reported tension between both Butler and Rose as the forward developed into a star while the point guard nursed another knee injury.
The Bulls must sell Butler on a post-Tom Thibodeau world. Fred Hoiberg is taking over as the head coach. At 25, Butler could be a franchise star for the Bulls. The team has the upper hand at the moment with his future considering Butler will be a restricted free agent. Now the task is to make sure he is happy.
