Nov. 01--Jimmy Butler is out for Friday's home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"I'm really, really close," Butler said.
Kirk Hinrich once again will start for the Bulls, and Mike Dunleavy will start on LeBron James. Butler hasn't played since spraining his left thumb in an Oct. 19 exhibition.
Butler participated in Friday's morning shootaround at the United Center. He hadn't practiced since spraining his left thumb on Oct. 19 until Thursday and responded well but is still wearing heavy protective tape on the injury.
The deadline for Butler and the Bulls to reach a contract extension preventing him from becoming a restricted free agent next summer is 10:59 p.m. As of late last night, sources said the two sides were roughly $2.5 million apart annually. Over four years, that's just over $10 million counting annual raises.
Thibodeau praised the way Butler handled the negotiations thoughout training camp.
"He's a pro," Thibodeau said. "His approach has been really good. He's letting his agent handle that. He's locked into the basketball and his rehab. It'll work out."
The Cavaliers lost their home opener to the Knicks on Thursday. The Bulls expect an aggressive James Friday night.
"I'm sure he'll come out ready to play," Pau Gasol said. "Maybe a little more aggressive, so we'll see where he's at. But we got our guys ready to play. He's a tough cover. We just have to do our best to help the guy that's guarding him and make it tough for him and everybody else.''
