UPDATE: The Butler Signed It

Maybe I should have waited until later in the day to write a post about all the moves the Bulls have made this week.  But so much was happening, I had to recap it all quickly.  I figured Jimmy Butler finalizing his new five-year, $90 million contract was inevitable, although I didn't anticipate it happening already.  However, it has.

Already, the Bulls have checked off the biggest item on their to-do list for the offseason, which was to lock up their best player of the past season for the rest of the decade.  Although Butler will have a player option for the fifth year, he's hear to stay for at least most of his prime.  Everyone in the front office is celebrating, as are the fans.  They wanted this deal done and they got it as quickly as they could have hoped (unless you count the one Butler rejected at the start of last year).

All that talk about Butler not getting along with Derrick Rose or wanting to be the only alpha male on the roster can be put to rest.  No "league source" was officially named, so until it comes out, we can't put much, if any stock in that "report".  If Butler had grown sick of Rose, would he have signed this contract knowing the former MVP would be around for at least two more years and possibly beyond?  I highly doubt it.

Even if a fraction of the reported animosity exists between the two, Fred Hoiberg will do everything he can to resolve those differences between the two.  If it doesn't, Hoiberg can focus on making that duo stronger together.  Both are still young, although Rose's knees would suggest otherwise.  If no more injuries get in the way, they can develop a chemistry that would rival whatever the Splash Brothers have working for them.

There's no guarantee Butler will have as good a season, if not better at any point in the future.  He doesn't have to be an All-Star every year, but he should at least put up solid numbers.  In 30 years of the Most Improved Player Award, none has made it to the Hall of Fame yet, so we're especailly not exactly asking Butler to do that.  He just needs to compete with the best players in the league and make the Bulls a winner.

Whatever happens, no one can ever take away the season Butler just had.  20.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game is a line any player would love to have.  He made everything work like clockwork and even made two clutch plays on both ends when I saw the Bulls in Indiana last December.  Even if I didn't get to watch every game as closely as I would have liked, anyone who watched the Bulls at all last year know this guy was something special.

Hope you've found a nice place to live in Chicago, Jimmy.  If you have, consider making some renovations or other improvements to make yourself feel more at home.  If you haven't, hope you find something very reasonable with the money you're about to make.  Either way, everyone's happy to have you here.