CHICAGO (AP) – Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler appears headed toward restricted free agency next summer.
Butler was still hoping he and the team could agree on a contract extension before Friday’s deadline, saying ”we got `til, what, 11:59 (Eastern time)?”
Agent Happy Walters says negotiations are finished. Barring a late change, Butler will hit the market and the Bulls will have the right to match any offer he receives.
Drafted with the 30th pick in 2011, the Marquette product has averaged 8.9 points. He broke out last season, scoring a career-high 13.1 points per game while making the NBA’s all-defensive second team.
He missed the season-opening win at New York on Wednesday and was not in the lineup for Friday’s game against Cleveland.
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