Report: Lakers preparing possible max contract offer for Jimmy Butler

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of several teams preparing "possible maximum-salary offer sheets" for Chicago Bulls shooting guard Jimmy Butler, reports Shams Charania of RealGM.

The Los Angeles Lakers are one of several teams preparing "possible maximum-salary offer sheets" for Chicago Bulls shooting guard Jimmy Butler, reports Shams Charania of RealGM.

Butler will enter restricted free agency after reportedly turning down a four-year, $40 million offer from the Bulls in October.

As a restricted free agent, Butler will be able to sign an offer sheet with any team, but Chicago has the right of first refusal and can match any offer.

In January, the Chicago Tribunereported that the Bulls expect to sign Butler to a maximum contract.

From RealGM:

Outside of Chicago, teams are already preparing possible maximum-salary offer sheets for Butler in free agency, including the Los Angeles Lakers as one of several expected suitors, league sources told RealGM. Even Butler’s college area connection, the Milwaukee Bucks, will have cap space in July. Around the league, there’s a question: How will Chicago handle the inevitable max out of a star player not named Rose?

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Butler, 25, is wrapping up a breakout season.

Over 65 games, he averaged 20.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists while shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from three-point range.

Butler earned his first All-Star nod and was named the NBA's Most Improved Player.

Chicago and the Cleveland Cavaliers are tied, 2-2, in the Eastern Conference semifinals after the Cavaliers won Game 4 in Chicago on Sunday.

[h/t ProBasketballTalk]