Whatever happens by the end of this season, Chicago Bull Jimmy Butler will become a restricted free agent. And based on his showing this year, the 2014-15 Most Improved Player is expected to get wild offers from a number of teams by season's end.
Among the teams expected to make a serious pitch for Butler's services are the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers are in for a busy offseason and could be left with only a handful of players.
Though it hasn't been made official, some players are not expected to be re-signed or may be traded. Leading the pack is Jeremy Lin, Carlos Boozer and Wesley Johnson who are most likely out of the lineup. Nick Young has been the subject of trade talks, following his big dip after a breakout season back in 2013.
Hence, the Lakers have a wide salary cap space to work with, allowing them to potentially give Jimmy Butler a max contract which the Bulls will have to offer if they intend to keep Butler in their lineup.
Keeping Butler could be a tough one for the Bulls, especially if it may boil down to matching a max offer. The Bulls would be foolish to let Butler walk but if it comes down to that, the likely scenario is bidding adieu to Butler.
Assuming he does accept the offer from the Lakers, is he ready to succeed Kobe Bryant? Better yet, can Butler co-exist with Butler?
Kobe Bryant is expected to play out the last year of contract and one thing worth pointing out is that both Butler and Bryant play the same position (shooting guard). Butler doesn't seem like the player who would come off the bench, though he could always move up to the small forward position. So that could be an issue which can certainly be resolved.
If not the Lakers, there are other teams who are bound to court Butler. The Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks and the Phoenix Suns will be in the mix so it may all boil down to what Butler would really be looking for, aside from an obvious long-term deal and NBA ring.
