Jimmy Butler has heard his name come up in trade rumors dating back to last offseason, and that chatter is almost certain to continue this summer. With the Chicago Bulls having been eliminated from the playoffs after losing four straight games to the Boston Celtics, it’s fair to wonder if Butler will encourage the team to move him.
When asked on Friday night if he will be seeking clarity about his future from Bulls management in the coming days, Butler danced around the subject. And if you’re into reading body language, his smirk when he said he wants to remain in Chicago might interest you.
Jimmy Butler expresses desire to remain with Bulls despite trade rumors pic.twitter.com/Bq9JegAtZ5
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) April 29, 2017
Dwyane Wade has a player option for the 2017-2018 season, and he and Butler seemingly became close this past year. They both expressed frustration in the younger players on the team on more than one occasion, so it’s fair to wonder if Butler will want out if Wade chooses to move.
Back in February, we heard a report claiming Butler has had some bizarre issues with the Bulls’ front office. If Wade opts out and Chicago doesn’t show enough of a commitment to improving its roster, Butler may nudge the team in the direction of a trade.
