Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Posted: 10:04 AMUpdated: 3:45 PM
By Aggrey Sam
CSNChicago.com
ATLANTAAccording to his agent, swingman Rasual Butlerwill sign with the Bulls once he clears waivers, CSNChicago.com has learned.
Andy Miller, Butler's agent, told CSNChicago.com, "We intend on signing with Chicago when he clears waivers," via text message Wednesday morning.
Butler, a 6-foot-7 sharpshooter, confirmed to CSNChicago.com that he was bought out of his contract by the Los Angeles Clippers late Sunday evening.
Butler, who averaged five points per game in 41 contests for the Clippers this season, is expected to clear waivers Wednesday. Butler averaged a career-high 11.9 points per game for the Clippers last season.
When asked about the potential acquisition, Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau told CSNChicago.com, I have nothing to say until it gets done, prior to the Bulls morning shootaround at Philips Arena.
NBA
Thibodeau added: Hes been a good player in the league for a while.
One individual familiar with Chicagos personnel, former Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich, thinks Butler could be a solid addition to the team.
Rasual is one of the top shooters in the league, Hinrich, who was recently traded to the Hawks, who host his former team Wednesday night, told CSNChicago.com. Hes had a solid career and I think he would help a lot, if he comes in there. Hes a very confident shooter, so I think that would help them.
(Read Aggrey's "Starting Five" for more info on what Hinrich has to say about his former team.)
While Butler would be unlikely to immediately supplant any player in Thibodeaus rotation, his outside-shooting prowess would give them an additional weapon for the seasons stretch run and more importantly, the playoffs.
Although his numbers were down for the youth-oriented Clippers this season, Butler would potentially give the Bulls another capable perimeter shooter to battle defensive-minded teams in the postseason who are focused on clogging the lane against the penetration of All-Star point guard and MVP front-runner Derrick Rose, as well as Chicagos size on the interior.
Aggrey Sam is CSNChicago.com's Bulls Insider. Follow him @CSNBullsInsider on Twitter for up-to-the-minute Bulls information and his take on the team, the NBA and much more.