The Chicago Bulls have been hit with the injury bug over the past few weeks and now Jimmy Butler is the latest to go down after suffering a hyperextended elbow and this comes as he is headed towards restricted free agency this summer and teams like the LA Lakers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs reportedly could be interested in signing him this offseason.
Butler will be one of the most coveted players on the market this offseason, but it's highly unlikely he leaves Chicago. The Bulls made it clear earlier in the season when they were working on a deal with Butler that they would match any offers this summer, making it likely he stays in Chicago. Frank Isola of the Daily News wrote last week that certain teams could look at Butler as a better target than some of the players in unrestricted free agency and if they make a big enough offer, Chicago may not match.
The injury to Derrick Rose makes it all but certain that Butler will remain in Chicago, as he is the future of the team after Rose's third serious knee surgery. The Bulls will have to build around Butler and it's clear he made a smart decision by not signing an extension earlier this season. While the injury could end up being serious, Butler has already earned himself a ton of money with his improved play and he is currently leading the team in scoring in 2014-15.
Isola writes that the Knicks and Lakers will have the cap space to make a competitive offer for Butler and he could be a target if Goran Dragic or Rajon Rondo stay with their current teams. The Knicks are expected to have over half of their cap space cleared by next summer and they need a strong option to play alongside Carmelo Anthony. The Lakers are in the same spot and both teams are expected to chase Dragic and Rondo. Isola writes that Dragic could leave Miami despite the fact that the Heat traded two first round picks for him and if that happens, Butler could be a target for them as well. Isola also adds that Butler is a "Texas guy" and could be interested in any of three teams in the state.
The Rockets have James Harden but could look at adding Butler, while the Mavericks could target him if they lose Rondo. The Spurs have Kawhi Leonard to sign and they usually are not major players when it comes to free agents on the market, but they too could be an option. The Knicks have basically tanked this season to try and win the lottery and they are hoping to get the chance to draft Duke product Jahlil Okafor.
Where the Knicks end up in the lottery will dictate how they attack free agency and that also could affect their interest in Butler. Marc Berman writes that the Knicks could go after Greg Monroe in free agency if they miss out on Marc Gasol, as he is expected to stay with the Grizzlies. The Knicks have the money to compete with nearly any offer on the market and they are hoping to sign at least two top flight free agents this summer.
Frank Isola wrote on Twitter: "And to think Jimmy Butler, Texas guy, wouldn't be "interested" in 3 Texas teams is preposterous. Heat, Lakers, Knicks & Bulls all in play."