Watch CBS News

Bulls' Jimmy Butler On Dealing With Trade Speculation: 'I'm A Big Boy'

By Cody Westerlund--

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Amid his rise to becoming a two-time All-Star, face of the Bulls and Olympian has come another subplot that Jimmy Butler doesn't enjoy nearly as much but also acknowledges he isn't surprised by after Chicago's disappointing 2015-'16 season.

His name being the center of trade speculation.

For the first time in his five-year professional career, the 26-year-old Butler found his name swirling in the trade rumor mill this offseason. While the fervor has since died down and the Bulls are happy to enter the season with Butler leading a revamped group, the trade speculation reached its peak on draft night in June, when Chicago seriously engaged in Butler-centered trade discussions with Boston and to a lesser extent Minnesota as the organization considered a big rebuild.

Speaking Thursday ahead of Team USA's practice at the United Center, Butler maintained he's not upset with how the situation transpired.

"It's not their job to report anything to me," Butler said, referencing the Bulls front office. "I'm a big boy. I don't need you to tell me, 'No, you're not going to be traded.' I know it's a business. If it happens, it happens. But I'm here.

"I don't pay attention to it."

The latter point may be more cliche than meaningful, as the past and common sense suggest Butler is well aware of outside noise. Butler was the Bulls' on-stage representative at the NBA Draft Lottery in May shortly after a report came out that he was upset by a season-ending news conference in which executives John Paxson and Gar Forman didn't commit to building the franchise around him.

On draft night back, Butler showed up at the Advocate Center for a workout around the same time the Bulls were discussing shipping him out in a trade. He maintains it was a coincidence, though it seemed like more than that.

"I was in the gym working out during the draft," Butler said. "My phone was blowing up, but I mean, what can I do? Go in the office and be like, 'Hey, please don't trade me?' If they were going to do that, that's on them."

Either way, Butler's a centerpiece for the Bulls now and enthused by the additions of point guard Rajon Rondo and shooting guard Dwyane Wade. Butler believes those two can hold him accountable, saying, "I like confrontation because it only makes me better."

"The front office did a great job of bringing in guys I think can help us win," Butler said.

"I like our chances with them more. I'm excited I get to play with those guys."

Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for CBSChicago.com and covers the Bulls. He's also the co-host of the @LockedOnBulls podcast, which you can subscribe to on iTunes and Stitcher. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.