The season has hit its mid-way point and one of the most interesting players has been Bulls guard, Jimmy Butler. Butler is having a career year in a contract year. He’s averaging a career high in points (20.5), rebounds (6.0), and leads the league in minutes played (39.8).
It’s safe to say that Butler has emerged as one of the most important players in the Bulls’ rotation as they look to him for more than just good on ball defense. During the absence of Derrick Rose, Butler stepped up as one of the leaders of the team and not only kept the team relevant but help led them to a playoff berth.
This season has been no different, with the return of Derrick Rose and acquisition of free-agent forward/center Pau Gasol. In fact, anybody can make a case that the former MVP, Rose is the third option due to the incredible season by Gasol and Butler.
In just his fourth year in the league, Butler has seen his scoring and rebounding numbers increase, while playing heavy minutes. The minutes played could become a problem in the future but, for now, it has not become a problem just yet.
Seems like almost anybody has a career season when it’s a contract year, no matter the sport. So, should the Bulls decide to keep Butler, is he worth a max-contract and will he be offered one?
To answer the latter half of the question, of course he’ll be offered a max contract. Anybody who has a somewhat good year in a contract year can be offered a max contract, look around the league.
A team will offer Butler a max contract but does he deserve it and can he live up to the expectations.
Based on what we have seen from Butler, there’s no reason why he won’t live up to the expectations that come with a max contract.
Besides, few players in this league has the impact on both ends like Butler does and there is no reason why his work ethic should change upon receiving a max deal from the Bulls or some other team. You know what you’re getting with Butler on a nightly bases. You know he’s going to defend the opposing team’s best player while getting his own shots and fighting on the boards.
Obviously the Bulls want to re-sign the rising guard but, the team has already committed nearly $63 million to Joaki, Noah, Taj Gibson, Pau Gasol and Derrick Rose.
For Butler to receive the max contract, around $16 million per season, Chicago falls short of the projected luxury-tax line. It will be interesting to see how the Bulls work out the situation. Keep in mind it was not long ago Chicago offered Butler a four-year $40 million, in which Butler turned down.
Certainly some contracts will have to be renegotiated in order for the Bulls to keep Butler. All signs point to Derrick Rose who is expected to make over $50 million over the next couple of years.
Here’s a graph, courtesy of: http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/01/09/report-bulls-plan-to-offer-jimmy-butler-max-contract/
Illustrating, what Butler can make per year should he stay with the Bulls or sign elsewhere.
The Corner Three 