Bulls Rumors: Latest on Jimmy Butler and Critical Roster Moves
Jimmy Butler begins the rumors when it comes to the Chicago Bulls these days, and as important as he is to the team's plans, he doesn't end them.
Butler is the focal point for good reason, but the front office in the Windy City has other things to concern itself with, as well. Most of this centers on keeping other key free agents after a strong showing in the 2015 NBA draft by stealing forward Bobby Portis at No. 22.
Should things work out, the Bulls won't have any issues contending in the Eastern Conference. If not, well, it might be back to the drawing board. Below, let's take a look at the latest rumblings around the team before things pick up in earnest.
Kirk Hinrich Latest
It sounds like the Bulls will have veteran point guard Kirk Hinrich back behind Derrick Rose next season, which should go down as a good thing given the previous health issues of the starter and the lack of depth behind him.
Shams Charania of RealGM shares the report, which sounds like a no-brainer for the veteran:
It's a hefty chunk of change for Hinrich, who at 34 years old might not see the same usage as last year with things at the top of the organization changing.
Still, if the Bulls need to lean on him, the former Kansas standout showed he's still reliable after posting 5.7 points and 2.2 assists per game last year on 24.4 minutes. If usage goes up, so will the numbers.
For now, it looks like the Bulls have a nice insurance policy at perhaps the most important position on the court.
Mike Dunleavy's Trip to Market
Over the course of the last two seasons, the Bulls received a nice boost from veteran sharpshooter Mike Dunleavy, he of four teams in 14 seasons.
Last year, Dunleavy was his usual self when given the chance, averaging 9.4 points and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 44 percent from the floor and 41 percent from deep.
Even at 34 years old, plenty of teams around the league will want a shot at Dunleavy for his spot-up shooting, a trait becoming more and more valued in rotations by the season. It sounds like good news for the Bulls on this front, though, as Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com reported:
With Doug McDermott still on his way back from an odd debut campaign and a relative unknown, Dunleavy's presence on the roster might be more important than ever.
Granted, the Bulls could always go elsewhere at the position when the market's floodgates open, but there's an advantage to bringing back a guy who knows the system and culture.
While it sounds like both parties want something to happen, numbers must look good for each, and the clock is ticking down the time until the market opens.
Jimmy Butler Latest
By now, those faithful to the franchise calling the Windy City home know the drill.
Butler, one of the league's premier rising stars, gambled on himself and won. Now he's looking to do it again during his trip to restricted free agency this offseason, where it sounds like he wants to cash in on a short-term deal so he can hit the market again as soon as cap space around the league takes a dramatic leap thanks to a television deal.
Right now, it sounds like Butler's team of choice isn't the Bulls, but the Los Angeles Lakers, per Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News: "Although Butler wants to sign a one-year deal with the Lakers, according to a league source familiar with his thinking, the Bulls are expected to match any offer for the restricted free agent."
Of course, in this situation, the ball remains in Chicago's court. It sounds like the front office is taking the initiative, too, with Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders reporting the team offered him a max qualifying offer. Eric Rosenthal of Page 2 Sports explains what it means:
The bottom line is this—the Butler-Lakers connection makes sense. Los Angeles is what it is from a city and franchise-history standpoint. Even better, the team looks like it's on the rise after a solid draft.
Still, the narrative seems like Butler just wanted leverage in the situation with the Bulls. The whole ordeal isn't close to final yet, but it seems like he will be back with the team next year.
As the old saying goes, though, crazier things have happened. Keep an eye on Butler in the coming days, if not weeks.
All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.
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