Report: Knee Surgery In Play For Bulls' Jimmy Butler This Offseason

(CBS) Undergoing exploratory surgery on his injured left knee is a consideration for Bulls wing Jimmy Butler this offseason, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Friday morning.

Butler has missed 15 games this season because of left knee problems. The most serious issue came when he landed awkwardly and suffered a strained left knee during a Feb. 5 contest in Denver, and he missed the next five games. Butler returned for one game, then sat out the next four as he sought a second opinion from the acclaimed Dr. James Andrews, who confirmed the Bulls team doctors finding that there was no structural damage.

Butler acknowledged that knee surgery is a possibility, telling the Sun-Times, "Maybe, I hope not."

"Is my knee the same as it was before the injury?" Butler said. "No."

A two-time All-Star, Butler is averaging a team-high 21.4 points but hasn't been himself since his return from the knee injury. Butler's averaging 14.6 points on 38 percent shooting. On Wednesday night, Butler called his recent play "terrible" and "saddening," saying he's hurting the team.