Butler bids Chicago farewell on Instagram: 'You've embraced me like a son'

Jimmy Butler has known no NBA home but Chicago, but after six fruitful years with the Bulls, he's been shipped to Minnesota.

After being traded to the Timberwolves on draft night Thursday, Butler took to Instagram to say his goodbyes to the Windy City.

Chicago, What can I say?! I truly struggle with the words because you've been so much more than just my home for the last 6 years, you've been my life! You've embraced me like a son and pushed me to get better every day, every season. I can honestly say that I have always been incredibly motivated to succeed; it's just the way I'm built. But I know I owe so much to the person I am now, and to the player that I've become, to you. You always pushed me to never give anything less than my absolute best night in, night out. That's what you expected. That's what you deserved. And, I hope you know that's what I dedicated my life to every time I walked into the facility or stepped on the floor of the United Center. Thank you to the entire Bulls organization and Reinsdorf Family for taking a chance on me in 2011 and for giving me the opportunity to play the sport I love for such a great franchise. I'll never forget the feeling I had when I was drafted and when I played my first minutes. It's an experience that I wouldn't have wanted with any other team and I'm so thankful to you for giving me that opportunity. Chicago, I love you. Thanks for embracing a kid from Tomball like one of your own. On to a new home and a new organization. Thankfully, with some familiar faces! PS... AND PROBABLY MOST IMPORTANT! THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY BEHIND THE ORGANIZATION THAT DO NOT GET THE SHINE THAT THEY DESERVE!! YALL ARE THE REAL ALL-STARS!! - Jimmy G. Buckets (@staceyking21 )

A post shared by Jimmy Butler (@jimmybutler) on Jun 23, 2017 at 11:01am PDT

Since being taken by the Bulls with the 30th pick in the 2011 draft, Butler has increased his scoring average every season, from 2.6 to 8.6 to 13.1 to 20 to 20.9 to 23.9.

He was named the league's Most Improved Player in 2015, an All-Defensive second teamer from 2014-2016, an All-Star in each of the past three seasons, and an All-NBA third teamer this past season.

HEADLINES

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox

Email address

Butler bids Chicago farewell on Instagram: 'You've embraced me like a son'

HEADLINES

Daily Newsletter

MORE STORIES

Daily Newsletter