Chicago Bulls News: Jimmy Butler hilariously open to return

As the NBA’s brightest stars took center stage in the United Center, the Chicago Bulls were hardly represented.

This weekend was more about players who either had ties to the city or the Chicago Bulls than it was about the current team being represented.

The only guy in action during the course of the 2020 NBA All Star Weekend was Zach LaVine, and it wasn’t for either event fans would have preferred. It wasn’t the Slam Dunk Contest or the All Star Game itself, but the Three-Point Shootout, which he unfortunately did not win.

We could talk about former NBA All Star Dwyane Wade and his ties to the city, or even current All Star Anthony Davis. Heck, Derrick Rose is still more popular in Chicago than any current Bulls player.

One player whom Bulls fans know well and was on the court for the big game Sunday night, Jimmy Butler, still has a soft spot for the city.

When asked if he would ever entertain returning to the Bulls, Butler told the media:

"“Yeah, of course,’’ Butler said according to the Chicago Sun Times. “Like, come on. This is Chicago. This is home for me for a long time, still is home for me now. It’s a definite possibility — maybe toward the end of my career. Who knows? We’ll find out when that time gets here.’’"

Butler’s response was anything but predictable because, well, he’s hardly predictable himself. We’ve seen many versions of Butler over the years and, most recently, it’s been more along the diva type than anything else.

Regardless, the fact that Butler said he’d be open to a return to the organization which drafted him is a bit hilarious, and for two reasons.

First, he can’t actually be serious. There is no way Butler could actually want to come back to this poorly-run organization. No big name actually wants to come to play for the Bulls, as evidenced by their lack of interest from key free agents.

Come back and play for an organization run by John Paxson? You’re kidding. I don’t buy that for a second.

What I do believe, in part, is the portion of Butler’s quote where he mentions ‘maybe toward the end’ of his career. Essentially what he’s saying is, he’d be open to return for one last meaningless season in a Bulls uniform — when he’s accomplished everything he possibly could, outside of the Bulls’ organization.

I believe that. Oh, I believe it. Reminiscent of Wade’s short stint in Chicago, Butler coming back to the city for one more quick run as an old man would be a total Bulls move.