Jimmy Butler stays with the Bulls. (Photo : REUTERS/John E. Sokolowski)
The Chicago Bulls kept the services of free agents shooting guard Jimmy Butler, small forward Mike Dunleavy and point guard Aaron Brooks.
The Bulls were ready to match any offers to Butler in free agency.
It turned out that a 5-Year, $90 million contract was enough to persuade Butler to stay.
The 25-year-old averaged 20 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game for the 2014-15 breakout season for the .
There were worries that Butler wanted a shorter contract to be able to sign a more lucrative deal in 2017.
It was also reported that Butler was interested in signing a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, but NBA's salary cap rules won't allow him.
Butler also clarified that there were no issues between him and star point guard Derrick Rose that supposedly prompted him to jump ship.
Dunleavy agreed to a three-year $14 million deal to stay with the Bulls after two solid seasons.
The 34-year-old started in all 63 games he played last season with Chicago and averaged 9.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in 29.2 minutes per game.
Dunleavy said that winning the championship this season is the primary reason he's staying was the Bulls. He added that anything short of that will make team members disappointed.
He revealed it's been more stress-free since Fred Hoiberg was hired as the relationship between Bulls front office and ex-coach Tom Thibodeau deteriorated irreparably.
Dunleavy was targeted by the Cleveland Cavaliers, whose superstar LeBron James wanted his team to sign the three-point shooter.
The Bulls also retained the services of back up point guard Aaron Brooks who agreed to re-sign with the for a one-year deal.
He averaged 11.6 points and 3.2 assists in 23 minutes per game last season with the Bulls.
The 30-year-old Brooks started in 21 games of the 31 games when Derick Rose was injured last season.
The Bulls also have the option of freeing cap space by trading Taj Gibson for draft picks.
