Chicago Bulls: 3 free agents they should chase in 2019
1. Jimmy Butler
Kevin Garnett once exclaimed that “Anything is possible” after winning an NBA championship. He’s right. Anything is possible, including a Bulls reunion with Jimmy Butler. Unlikely? Yes. Impossible? No.
LeBron went back to Cleveland and left twice, so there’s no reason Jimmy Buckets can’t come back home. When the Bulls traded Butler, it was most likely because they were hesitant to pay him the “supermax” contract that would have paid him in excess of $40 million a season. Now, that’s not an issue and Bulls could use his tenacity and work ethic.
With young guys like Markkanen, Carter and Chandler Hutchison, the Bulls need a leader willing to take charge and show them how to work. Butler could be that guy. He still loves Chicago and never wanted to leave in the first place. Maybe next summer, the Bulls bring him back and find a way to make a move for Kyrie Irving too.
The most likely of these three would have to be Jimmy Butler. His familiarity with the franchise and love for the city are key factors. The least likely is Kevin Durant, probably because he would have to be the main star every night. Some athletes are wired to relish that opportunity, but Durant doesn’t appear to be that guy.
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It’s probably unlikely that any of these three would consider a future as a member of the Chicago Bulls, but that shouldn’t stop the Bulls front office from attempting to bring one (or two) of them to the Windy City. Though this franchise has struck out time after time in their attempts to land a big name, eventually they’ll land one … right?