Hoops Habit
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NBA: To Extend or Not to Extend?

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 2, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) dunks the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 111-90. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) dunks the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during the second half at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 111-90. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) after being fouled by the an Atlanta Hawks player during the second half at the United Center. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Atlanta Hawks 85-84. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) after being fouled by the an Atlanta Hawks player during the second half at the United Center. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Atlanta Hawks 85-84. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

Position: Shooting Guard

Age: 25

2013-14 Games Played: 67

2013-14 Season Averages: 13.57 PER, 38.7 MPG, 13.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.9 SPG, 1.0 3PM

2013-14 Slash Line: .397/.283/.769

Accolades: 2014 All-Defensive Second Team

The Chicago Bulls are a defensive-minded team. A pair of offensive stars, Pau Gasol and Derrick Rose, shoulder the load on the other end of the floor, while Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah leads the league’s No. 1 scoring defense.

Don’t sleep on how important Jimmy Butler is in all of this.

Butler, 25, earned Second Team All-Defense honors in 2014 after serving as Chicago’s go-to perimeter defender. He’ll reprise that role in 2014-15 as a man-to-man player who not only locks down shooters, but forces turnovers.

According to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, Butler and the Bulls are nearing a new deal.

The question is, should they do it? The answer is an easy yes.

Butler’s offensive efficiency declined in 2013-14, but he’s already one of the league’s premier perimeter defenders. He’s also a versatile offensive player who’s far better than his statistics display.

Butler will take on scorers, attack off the bounce, shoot off-the-catch and even set his teammates up. He’s also proven capable of thriving in head coach Tom Thibodeau’s physically demanding system.

Butler has room for improvement, but he’s well worth a new deal.

Verdict: Extend