Jimmy Butler to Lakers? Bulls forward says he wants to stay in Chicago
Jimmy Butler can't seem to shake this notion that he will soon be playing for a team other than the Chicago Bulls.
Butler was a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Thursday and admitted that people in Los Angeles think he wants to join the Lakers.
"People say, 'Oh, he's coming to the Lakers, he's in L.A.' That's not it," Butler said.
"You're not coming to the Lakers?" Kimmel asked. "Why aren't you coming to the Lakers?"
"Because I love Chicago so very much," Butler said. "And they took a chance on me in 2011 with the 30th pick. So I'm forever grateful for that."
Kimmel said that even as a Lakers fan, he thinks Butler should stay in Chicago because of the foundation he has built there.
Butler joked he felt insulted that Kimmel didn't want him. Kimmel said he was using reverse psychology, which Butler said didn't work.
OK, so Butler — a three-time All-Star with at least two more seasons on his contract with the Bulls (player option in 2019-2020) — says he wants to stay in Chicago. But what if the Bulls trade him?
Kimmel pointed out that the Boston Celtics may be interested in Butler.
"I can't really control that," Butler said. "I signed however long I did with the Bulls. What they decide to do is what they decide to do. I love it there. But like I always say, whatever organization I play for is always going to get my all every single night. I'm fortunate enough for it to be the Chicago Bulls right now."
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