Mark Deeks @MarkDeeksNBA · 8h @McGrawDHBulls I spoke to an NBA executive the other day who said they would happily max Butler. Double checked and he wasn't joking.
Just read that the Celtics gave Avery Bradley a 4-year contract for $32mil (total). Here's a comparison between Bradley and Jimmy Butler for last season. I still think Butler at the max is ridiculous, but I can see how Butler's agent is gonna stick this sort of comparison in Forman's ear.
This strikes me as politicking in order to spook other teams (like the Bulls). It's hard for me to imagine even the most enthusiastic GM giving Butler the max given his offensive deficiencies. I could see at least one team giving him 10+ million per year, but I can't remember the last time a low-usage low-efficiency wing player got the max.
Deeks claims the guy was serious. I was shocked when I read it. He is not max. Maybe 8 mill at the most.