Washington Wizards forward Nene scuffles with Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler
Apr 25, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Nene (42) scuffles with Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) in the fourth quarter in game three of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Nene received two technical fouls and was ejected. The Bulls won 100-97. Reuters

With defense the premium in the Chicago Bulls system, it’s only apt that the franchise value Jimmy Butler highly and both sides are working on a contract extension that will allow the partnership to continue in the long-term.

ESPN reported on Tuesday that the Bulls and Butler’s representatives are already working on a deal that will extend the shooting guard’s stay in Chicago.

"I want to be here," Butler declared to sportswriter Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago during the Bulls’ first practice of the 2014-2015 NBA Season. "I think the Bulls want me here. So however long it takes, as long as we get it worked out. Basketball is my main focus, not really the contract situation.”

While Butler may have deflected the urgency of the probable signing the long-term deal, both the Chicago brass and Butler’s camp know a deal before Oct. 31 would deny both parties the drama of a pending free agency if they can’t agree on a contract.

Butler will become a restricted free agent (RFA) at the end of the 2014-2015 season if they can’t hammer out a deal. If he hits RFA, teams can swoop in and try to steal their defensive ace although the Bulls can still match any deal.

Being the last pick (30th) in the 2011 NBA Draft, the swingman from Marquette University is paid a bargain $2,008,748 for his fourth year with the Bulls.

Butler’s value to the team is perimeter defense in head coach Tom Thibodeau’s aggressive defensive system but his overall numbers on both ends of the floor have improved yearly since joining the league in 2011.

As a rookie, Butler averaged 2.6 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 0.1 steals in limited minutes (8.5). Coach Thibs upped his minutes to 26.0 per game in Butler’s sophomore year and he responded with 8.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game.

By third year, Butler has become a well-rounded two-way player with logs of 13.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.6 APG and 1.9 SPG in 38.7 minutes per game.

The Bulls are considered championship contenders in the upcoming NBA season and Butler’s growth as a player will be crucial how far they’ll go winning the NBA title.

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