Jimmy Butler poured his emotions onto his smartphone screen, posting a picture on Instagram of himself in front of the Chicago skyline. Butler, a perennial All-Star and one of the league’s best two-way players, was traded from the Bulls to the Minnesota Timberwolves during Thursday’s NBA draft.
Jimmy Butler gives a heartfelt goodbye to Chicago via Instagram post
Butler posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, thanking everyone after the Bulls traded him to Minnesota.
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
To the city of Chicago, Butler wrote: “You always pushed me to never give anything less than my absolute best night in, night out. That’s what you expected. That’s what you deserved. And, I hope you know that’s what I dedicated my life to every time I walked into the facility or stepped on the floor of the United Center.
“Chicago, I love you. Thanks for embracing a kid from Tomball like one of your own. On to a new home and a new organization.”
In his message, Butler thanked the organization and the Reinsdorf Family for drafting him in 2011 before especially thanking (in all caps) “EVERYBODY BEHIND THE ORGANIZATION THAT DO NOT GET THE SHINE THAT THEY DESERVE!! YALL ARE THE REAL ALL-STARS !!”
Butler was dealt to the Wolves for a package of Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and Minnesota’s No. 7 pick in Thursdays’ draft. Chicago also forfeited their own No. 16 pick in the trade.
That’s a modest return for a player who gave his all as a Bull.
Butler was moved for two reasons: He was set to command a $200-plus million contract in free agency in 2019, and the Bulls’ front office was split on whether he could be the face of the franchise moving forward. At the end, they parted with the All-Star for pennies on the dollar.
But Butler’s accomplishments as a Bull shouldn’t be overlooked. He became an All-Star starter and was named to All-NBA Third Team after averaging 24 points, six rebounds and 5.5 assists to push Chicago to an eighth seed it didn’t care for early on. The versatile wing was the do-it-all guy for Chicago’s offense, and while he clashed with head coach Fred Hoiberg from time to time, it was evident the Bulls were a lottery team at-best without Butler on the floor. (The Bulls outscored teams by three with Butler in and got outscored by seven with him out.)
In his final season, the argyle-sock connoisseur left Bulls fans with lasting memories.
There was, of course, his 40-point performance culminating with a game-winner against the Nets:
If you’re really a Bulls fan, you remember he dropped 52 points against Charlotte five days later:
And if you’re REALLY a Bulls fan, you remember he scored 42 points only a few days later in a clutch performance against the Raptors that ended with a dagger:
I’m no Bulls fan, but I appreciate talent, I appreciate skill, and most of all, I appreciate a player who gives his all on both ends of the floor. That’s what the Timberwolves are getting in Jimmy Butler, and that’s what the Bulls gave up for LaVine, Dunn and the pick that became Lauri Markkanen.
Chicago will miss you, Jimmy. And Minnesota will welcome you with open arms.
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