Having rejected the Chicago Bulls’ low-ball offer, Jimmy Butler declared that he’s betting on himself to make more money in restricted free agency next summer.
Butler, 25, insists that there’s no bad blood between him and Bulls management.
Jimmy plans to be in Chicago long-term.
Per the Chicago Sun-Times:
“People say I’m chasing money when that’s not it — yeah, get your mic closer — that’s not it, because I’m going to be in Chicago,’’ Butler said Saturday. “I’m not worried about it. I say that with a smile on my face because I know that for a fact. We’ll resume [negotiations] in July.’’
The new TV deal has players and agents feeling as if the payroll is about to jump quickly. So rather than settle, Butler’s camp decided to weigh the odds and play the market. […] “Yeah, [the deadline is] over with, but this is still home, these are still my guys,’’ Butler said. “This is the team I want to be on, this is the city I want to represent. So I’m happy, and I’ll be happy for a long time.’’
“You can’t take too many things personal,’’ Butler said. “We have a great group of guys, and that all comes down from the management and ownership. So [I have] a lot of respect for everybody who has helped me through that whole process. Dealing with them was definitely a good thing. It could have been a lot worse. We left off on great terms, not just good, great terms. Our goal is still the same, and that’s to win a championship.’’
