Jimmy Butler Not Surprised By the Derrick Rose Trade

According to Jimmy Butler, the Chicago Bulls had to make a choice between him and Derrick Rose this summer.

Butler wasn’t shocked when the Bulls dealt the former MVP to New York.

Butler has nothing but positive things to say about his former teammate.

Per ESPN:

“They called me,” Butler said of the Bulls’ front office during an appearance on The Jump on Wednesday afternoon. “I can’t say that I was surprised, but I knew that it had to be one of us, to tell you the truth. Obviously, I enjoyed playing with him. I came into the league when he was the MVP. I’ve got so much respect for the guy. I have no bad things to say about him and I wish him the best moving forward.”

 

Butler’s name repeatedly popped up on draft night, as speculation surfaced about potential deals that would have sent the two-time All-Star to either Boston or Minnesota, but the Bulls did not feel they were getting significant enough value in return. Butler has said on several occasions that he hopes to stay in Chicago for the long haul, but admitted Wednesday that he isn’t sure where he will be when the season opens.

 

“I don’t think anything is for certain,” Butler said. “I really don’t. I love the city of Chicago, Chicago basketball, I think everybody knows that. They drafted me: I’ve been here my entire career. Nothing is for certain.”