Was about to post this Its intriguing but any money we give to Butler is less money we have to max out a center
He wants out of Chicago. Him and Rose aren't getting along. Chicago will match any contract, unless it's a cap buster. So we'd have to REALLY overpay so Chicago couldn't match it. And then we have no guarantees he'll stay after the 1 year deal. So, it begs the question, why do it?
I read the title as "Butler's Agent Wants To Use The Lakers As Leverage To Receive Max Deal From Chicago"
If Butler really wants to be a Laker signing with them this summer is not an option. Any deal he signs now will be matched by CHI. If he really wants out he has to pull a Greg Monroe and take the qualifying offer. He can threaten to take the QO if CHI says they are going to match to try to convince them to just let him go and be done with it, but as soon as he signs a deal it's out of his hands. RFA gives CHI all the power in this situation. Also keep in mind that taking the qualifying offer would be a serious financial risk, especially for a guy who hasn't had a big pay day yet.
Problem is, we can't afford to play contract inflating games with restricted free agents. We have to go hard after unrestricted free agents right away, so that if we strike out on one, we can move on to the next, and so forth, before they're all snatched up. We sit and wait on a guy like with Melo (even though he was unrestricted), we could screw ourselves.
Nah. If he signs a QO - he is in absolute control. He can just say - any team, but the Lakers, I am traded to, I am walking next summer. No one will trade for him, but us.
I don't think it's leverage for a max; he was going to get that offer from somewhere. I think he genuinely must want out of there, and he doesn't want to be forced into the QO to do so. guessing the bulls play hardball here, and yes, in his case, the QO is a big risk. probably too big to take.
Like others have said I'd he wants out take the QO. Huge risk but even if he doesn't get maxed out next summer, he'll get a pay raise next summer. I suppose one way to negate that would be signing a one year deal worth the max? But that'd be a dangerous game for us. We'd likely lose out on potential FA additions just in those three days because we'd be late to the game. Sorry Jimmy!
We can't sign him for a one year deal. It's a guaranteed 2 years at the minimum. If he really wants out take the QO and the risk. He'll be fine. Someone is going to pay Wes Matthews after his Achilles.
Well then there you go. Either QO or we can't help you Jimmy. Unless the FO is prepared to settle for lesser FAs just to help Jimmy, I don't see this happening.
Butler is the exact kind of wing player we need. If we can somehow get assurance from Chicago that they won't match (Jimmy going to them and telling them that he wants out), I'd do it in a heartbeat. Even if it still is slightly risky because we don't know for sure what Chicago would do. I'd have no problems rolling with a frontcourt of Randle and Black if we had Butler patrolling the perimeter on D.
We're not getting Butler. Bulls would have to just let him walk for nothing this offseason, or he'd have to be willing to pass on over $80 million in guaranteed money to sign a 1-year deal to sign with us next season. Don't see either happening.
