After a roller coaster regular season, the Chicago Bulls are looking like a real threat in the Eastern Conference playoffs as they went up 2-0 on the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday. Part of that is because Derrick Rose is healthy and playing like his former MVP self while the other part can be credited to the rise of Jimmy Butler. The forward has been quietly putting together a career-best season with the added responsibility and it comes as a good time as Butler will be seeking a nice pay raise in the offseason.
Butler is set to be a restricted free agent in the upcoming offseason and the Bulls will be pressure to get a deal done with the young star. Chicago and Butler attempted to talk contract details during the offseason, but failed to agree on a number. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Butler turned down a four-year, $40 million offer from the Bulls in hopes of getting something better. The risk Butler took is certainly paying off as the forward is now in the position to earn much more after the season he has put together. However, will it come from the Bulls?
The Bulls would be extremely wise to re-sign Butler mainly because of Rose's injury history. Chicago fans likely remember just a few months ago the Chicago Tribune was reporting Rose could potentially be traded as he sat out healing from his third consecutive knee surgery. The future was looking bleak for the point guard and in his place, Butler rose to the occasion, something he continues to do in the playoffs. Rose could get hurt at any moment if history repeats itself, making Butler the x-factor for the Bulls. Retaining him should be a priority.
Players that might not be a priority for the Bulls are Taj Gibson and Kirk Hinrich. Gibson has been hearing the the trade rumors all season after the Bulls acquired Nikola Mirotic and Pau Gasol. He lost playing time to both players, but in the postseason he has done more than Mirotic who is battling injuries. Hinrich is also battling injuries as he sits out of the playoffs. Both Gibson and Hinrich hold great value on the open market and the Bulls could get quality in return. With Mirotic, Butler and Gasol the future of the franchise, getting draft picks or other players in return for Gibson and Hinrich could end up being the offseason priorities for the Bulls.
