Chicago Bulls: Jimmy Butler wants to remain with team, what gives?
Amidst reports of the Cleveland Cavaliers wanting him, Jimmy Butler says he would rather remain with the Chicago Bulls.
It has been a crazy few days in the NBA.
With the 2017 Draft coming up on Thursday, June 22, trades have already begun taking place. And between the Boston Celtics trading their No. 1 overall pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for the No. 3 pick and a future first-rounder, and the Atlanta Hawks giving away Dwight Howard (and the No. 31 pick) to the Charlotte Hornets for Miles Plumlee, Marco Belinelli and the No. 41 pick… fans are nothing short of blown away.
But perhaps the most surprising piece of news yet, is Chicago Bulls star Jimmy Butler stating he would rather remain with the team than join the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Yes, even with the chance to play alongside LeBron James and all.
Vincent Goodwill of Comcast Sportsnet Chicago reported earlier this week that the organization was actively shopping around their new face of the franchise. And while they were turned down by Boston when they offered Butler up for the No. 3 pick, soon a handful of other ball clubs started showing interest. Including the Cavaliers.
However, it seems the 27-year-old is still singing the same tune he has been all season: he has no desire to leave Chicago.
Now why Butler actually feels such a deep allegiance to the Bulls, is yet to be revealed. A Houston-native, he has no prior connection to the city itself. The swingman was not exactly given a fair shot from the get-go either. Then came the continuous drama between him and former teammates Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. Nevermind that both the front office and coaching staff have some major issues to work through.
Therefore for Butler to want to stick around, much less over joining the greatest player in the league, is mind-blowing to say the least.
According to a report from Joe Crowly of the Chicago Sun-Times, it could be because Cavaliers players warned him to avoid a volatile situation with the release of general manager David Griffin.
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In any case, it is also true that over the years, Chicago and Cleveland have formed somewhat of a rivalry. And yes, James may indeed take off come 2018. But if Butler truly wants a chance at title contention, staying with the Bulls is counterproductive.
So what gives?
Well, it may all come down to power.
Since the day Rose was traded to the New York Knicks, one thing has been clear: the team belongs to Butler now, even alongside the likes of Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo. After a lackluster initial three years in the league, followed by playing shadow to Rose, that must feel pretty darn good.
Additionally, it has become quite evident that Butler overrules head coach Fred Hoiberg. Although he no longer criticizes him publicly to the media, there is obviously no love lost between the two parties — to the point where Butler has been seen ignoring Hoiberg’s instructions mid-game.
There is also the fact that Butler is well-aware he is Chicago’s only real asset currently, giving him quite a hold over the front office. Without him, the Bulls would certainly not have made the playoffs, let alone be a .500 team.
The problem being that as talented of both a leader and player Butler may be, he gets nowhere without help. Help that he could immediately find elsewhere, like say, with the Cavaliers.
It might be nice for fans to hear Butler does not want to abandon ship, but as the squad stands now, he is hurting both himself and Chicago. While his own stardom is being wasted away on a mediocre team, keeping the roster as is will yield much of the same for the entirety of the organization.
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Jimmy Butler choosing to remain with the Chicago Bulls over the Cleveland Cavaliers does not necessarily mean he would not be enticed by another offer. And at the end of the day, it is not entirely his call. But his decision against joining James and company sure is something.