Jimmy Butler on the Derrick Rose trade: ‘I knew it had to be one of us’

Jimmy Butler shared his thoughts on the Bulls trading Derrick Rose to the Knicks on Wednesday during an appearance on ESPN’s The Jump.

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Jimmy Butler shared his thoughts on the Bulls trading Derrick Rose to the Knicks on Wednesday during an appearance on ESPN’s The Jump.

Butler said he wasn’t surprised that Rose was traded and that he figured the front office would be making changes after a disappointing season. “I knew it had to be one of us,” he added.

Rumors had surfaced over the past year that the two stars had issues getting along in Chicago, but Butler was complimentary of Rose. “I have so much respect for the guy,” Butler said of Rose. ”I have no bad things to say about him.”

“Because we didn’t win, I think everything comes up,” Butler said of reported friction between he and Rose. “If we win, there’s nothing to say. We’re fine, we can along together, we’d probably still be teammates to tell you the truth. But we didn’t win. I didn’t do my job, as well as he didn’t.”

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Butler also was asked if he thought he would be traded, following draft-night scuttle that linked him to the Celtics and Timberwolves. “I don't know,” he said. “I don't think anything is for certain. I love the city of Chicago, everyone knows that.”

After reported talks with the Timberwolves to deal Butler in a framework that involved No. 5 pick Kris Dunn, the Bulls sat tight and selected Michigan State guard Denzel Valentine with the 14th pick in the draft.

Butler will play with the United States Olympic team in Rio this summer.

Listen to his full comments here.