Jimmy Butler failed to secure a contract extension and will become a restricted free agent next summer, but the 25-year-old shooting guard is confident he'll remain with the Chicago Bulls.
Butler and the Bulls failed to reach a common ground before the deadline on Oct. 31, but the former Marquette standout said that he is not worried about his contract situation.
The fourth-year guard denied that he is demanding big salary and expressed confidence that they will resume negotiation next summer and eventually strike a new deal.
"People say I'm chasing money when that's not it. Yeah, get your mic closer, that's not it, because I'm going to be in Chicago," Butler said via Chicago Sun Times. "I'm not worried about it. I say that with a smile on my face because I know that for a fact. We'll resume negotiations in July."
Butler, who averaged 13.1 points to go along with 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists last season, is expected to draw the interest of several teams next summer, but he reiterated that he can't see himself moving to another team.
"This is still home, these are still my guys," Butler said. "This is the team I want to be on, this is the city I want to represent. So I'm happy, and I'll be happy for a long time."
Previous reports indicated that the Bulls and Butler tried to strike a deal hours before the deadline, but the two sides were allegedly $2 million per year part from reaching an agreement. When asked if he felt bad after the Bulls declined to give into his demanded salary, Butler said that he holds no ill feelings with their team executives.
"We have a great group of guys, and that all comes down from the management and ownership. So I have a lot of respect for everybody who has helped me through that whole process," Butler said. "Dealing with them was definitely a good thing. It could have been a lot worse. We left off on great terms, not just good, great terms."
