TORONTO _ Jimmy Butler took a canoe trip for an ESPN segment called "Hang Time," and the former Bulls guard made some waves.
When host Sam Alipour asked him why the Bulls would have made him available, he responded: "I said from the beginning that it was either going to be me or the Fred Hoiberg route. And, rightfully so, they took Fred. Good for them. I have that game marked on my calendar. February 9, baby, I'm back."
While it's true Hoiberg had more years left on his deal, Bulls officials say they moved Butler as part of a rebuild, not a power struggle with its young coach.
"I don't think it had anything to do with one person or another," the Bulls coach said Tuesday. "This was the direction chosen. We got some really good young pieces."
The Bulls lost an All-Star in his prime to the Timberwolves but received Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the ability to move up to take Lauri Markkanen in the draft.
Hoiberg praised those three and added: "We miss Jimmy. He is an unbelievable player and has had a great impact on winning for Minnesota. And he will continue to do that. We always wish him the best."
