Jimmy Butler Signs Max Deal With Bulls

USA TODAY Sports

Back in October, Jimmy Butler was offered a four year, $44 million dollar extension by the Chicago Bulls. In hopes he would have a breakout year, he declined the offer and waited to negotiate at the end of the season. Butler’s decision to wait payed off, literally.

Today, he has officially re-signed with the Chicago Bulls; the deal is reportedly worth $90 million over the course of five years. He will have a player option for the fifth year.

On Monday, he was offered a max deal by the Chicago Bulls. As a result, he postponed meetings with several teams. These teams included the Lakers, Mavericks, Celtics and the 76ers.

Butler was a restricted free agent, so if Butler and the Bulls didn’t come to an agreement and Butler signed elsewhere, they would have a chance to match an offer sheet to retain the 25-year-old.

Butler had a breakout season last season, as he averaged 20 points and six rebounds per game. He was a member of the All Star team for the first time in his four year career. He was also named the Most Improved Player. Butler helped the Bulls make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they were defeated by LeBron James and the Cavaliers.

In addition to Butler being re-signed, the Bulls also re-signed veteran Mike Dunleavy on Wednesday. They have now locked up two of their top free agents and are ready to pursue other available players, hoping to win at least one NBA championship in the coming years.

Butler’s signing is a huge step in the right direction for the Bulls. Now that they have Butler locked up, they will now have a young backcourt in Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler for the future. Butler is getting better every year, and the future is bright for the Bulls, and himself.