Chicago Bulls free agent Jimmy Butler plans to field shorter-term offer sheets this summer instead of signing Chicago's rumored five-year, maximum contract extension, Yahoo Sports reports.
The NBA salary cap is expected to rise significantly starting in the 2016-17 season. This has cooled Butler's interest in agreeing to a five-year, $90-plus million deal with the Bulls as he believes a richer contract will be waiting for him in the coming years.
The Bulls aren't worried about losing Butler. As a restricted free agent, Chicago has the right to match any offers Butler may receive this summer. However, Chicago should be worried about Butler's agents front loading a short-term deal to force the up-and-coming star into unrestricted free agency in 2017.
League sources have told Yahoo Sports that Butler's interest in signing with the Los Angeles Lakers has grown over the last few months. He has early plans to meet with a handful of teams one free agency officially opens in July. As mentioned, he appears to be seeking a short-term, max money deal.
If the Bulls do not rearrange their offer to Butler's liking then they will likely be matching an offer sheet in free agency.
What kind of deal is Butler looking for specifically?
"Butler could sign a three-year offer sheet that guarantees him $50 million, but allows for a player option on the third year that could allow him to move into unrestricted free agency and re-sign for a five-year, maximum deal worth as much as $190 million," Adrian Wojnarowski wrote. "It is understandable why Chicago wants Butler locked into a five-year, $90 million max extension under the current salary structure, but that appears to be a deal Butler plans to pass on."
Butler, 25, broke out for his best NBA season last year, making the Eastern Conference All-Star team and earning the NBA's Most Improved Player award. Combined with stellar defense, Butler set career highs in points (20.0), rebounds (5.8), assists (3.3) and blocks (1.7).
