Butler not shocked about Rose trade: 'It had to be one of us'

Last week's sudden Derrick Rose trade may have shocked many among NBA circles, but Chicago Bulls shooting guard Jimmy Butler believes a shakeup in the backcourt was unavoidable.

"I wasn't surprised. I knew it had to be one of us," Butler said on ESPN's "The Jump."

After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2007-08, Butler says he sensed a major change was imminent. While reports surfaced earlier this year that there was a degree of conflict between him and Rose, Butler stated that he has nothing but admiration for his former backcourt mate.

"I have so much respect for the guy. I have no bad things to say about him," Butler said.

Even with Rose gone, Butler's future in Chicago remains in doubt. The Bulls were reportedly close to trading their starting shooting guard to Minnesota during the draft, a report general manager Gar Forman vehemently denied.

"I don't know. I don't think anything is for certain," Butler stated. "I love the city of Chicago, everyone knows that."