Bulls News: Jimmy Butler Says He'll Return To Chicago In Free Agency

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Chicago Bulls small forward Jimmy Butler decided to "bet on himself" prior to the October 31st contract extension deadline, hoping to pick up a major raise in restricted free agency come July of 2015.

On Saturday, Butler made it clear that he wants to pick up that raise as a member of the Chicago Bulls.

From Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times:

“People say I’m chasing money when that’s not it — yeah, get your mic closer — that’s not it, because I’m going to be in Chicago,’’ Butler said Saturday. “I’m not worried about it. I say that with a smile on my face because I know that for a fact. We’ll resume [negotiations] in July.’’

The new TV deal has players and agents feeling as if the payroll is about to jump quickly. So rather than settle, Butler’s camp decided to weigh the odds and play the market.

“Yeah, [the deadline is] over with, but this is still home, these are still my guys,’’ Butler said. “This is the team I want to be on, this is the city I want to represent. So I’m happy, and I’ll be happy for a long time.’’

With the new national TV contracts for the NBA expected to balloon the salary cap in 2015-16, another impressive season in 2014-15 could be all Butler needs to convince the Bulls to open their pocketbooks.

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