Jimmy Butler: Signs Five-Year Max Deal With Bulls

Butler agreed to a five-year, $90 million deal with the Bulls on Wednesday, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports. The fifth year of the deal is a player option.

Analysis:

Butler was expected back in Chicago all along, but it was initially thought that he may seek a shorter-term deal in hopes or re-entering free agency under the higher salary cap in a few years. However, Butler instead opted to take more guaranteed money, and he's now locked in as one of Chicago's long-term assets, joining backcourt mate Derrick Rose. Butler has improved dramatically since coming into the league out of Marquette, and the Bulls will need him to take the next step forward, especially with the inconsistent play, at times last season, of Rose and Joakim Noah.