As a member of the Bulls, Butler declared he was betting on himself, declining a four-year extension in the $40 million range to test restricted free agency. That risky move paid off. He won the Most Improved Player award and signed a maximum deal for $90 million.

The NBA trade deadline draws closer by the day, and as always, the transaction cycle remains headlined by the same small group of players. On Monday, the Miami Heat suspended Jimmy Butler indefinitely after he walked out of a shootaround upon receiving the news that he would be benched.