Bulls Rumors: Rounding Up Latest on Jimmy Butler and Draft Targets
As a whole, the Chicago Bulls remain one of the Association's most interesting teams ahead of the 2015 NBA draft and free agency.
Derrick Rose, Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah and others form a solid core for another run in the Eastern Conference with or without the upstart Jimmy Butler, who is perhaps the most stress for Bulls faithful in quite a long time.
By the start of next season, the Bulls could tout a different lineup—or the exact same one.
Below, let's take a look at some of the latest rumblings around the organization, which span both the draft and Butler's impending free-agent stint, perhaps the hottest topic in the league right now.
Bulls Eyeing a Guard?
With a pick in the 20s in the upcoming draft, it's not easy to figure out what the Chicago front office has in mind.
Depth underneath the basket doesn't seem like a need, but even such a thought leaves three other potential slots for a pick. Kirk Hinrich remains behind Rose, but he is 34 years old. Butler's future remains in flux. Doug McDermott may or may not be ready to take over for Mike Dunleavy.
It makes sense, then, that the Bulls seem to like Virginia's Justin Anderson, per Sports Illustrated's Jake Fischer:
A hybrid guard-forward at 6'6" and 231 pounds, Anderson touts three years of experience, pro-ready defense and a solid stroke from deep, making him a solid all-around prospect for a team ready to win now.
Not only did Anderson average a career-high 12.2 points last year, he shot 45 percent from deep, a marked improvement. Even better, after strong athleticism numbers this offseason, he killed it in interviews, as a general manager told ESPN.com's Chad Ford: "He's really an exceptional guy. I thought he was one of the most impressive people I interviewed."
Anderson just seems like a Bulls pick when taking it all into account. It might not say much about Butler's future just yet, but it does make it seem obvious where the team would like more pro-ready depth to remain in contention.
Jimmy Butler's Contract Desires
By now, everyone's more than familiar with Butler, one of the names continuing to make the rounds as some of the league's buyers seem to run their hands together in anticipation of extending him an offer sheet.
For those somehow out of the loop, here's a short recap—one of the league's budding stars, Butler is 25 years old and last year posted career highs of 20.0 points, 3.3 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game before heading into restricted free agency this offseason.
As one of the league's brightest young players, other teams want a chance to steal Butler. The Bulls, of course, figure to want to work something out or match offers.
According to Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski, Butler might not want to accept a max offer from the Bulls: "Chicago Bulls restricted free-agent guard Jimmy Butler has plans to pursue shorter-term offer sheets this summer, resisting the Bulls’ initial plans to offer him a five-year, maximum contract extension, league sources told Yahoo Sports."
Don't panic, though.
This is about Butler doing what's best for Butler. While the report notes that "Butler has preliminary plans to pursue meetings with several teams once free agency starts in July," the Bulls have the power to match any offer.
For Butler, he seems brave enough to risk long-term security on the odds he can hit free agency again in a few years when the Association's cap space takes a significant jump. This means more money and a massive max deal right in his prime, if not allowing him to cash in on yet another deal down the road.
The Bulls have something to worry about in a few years. Right now, though, it's hard to imagine the team not matching any offer sheet and keeping him around for at least a few more seasons.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
