Philadelphia 76ers star Jimmy Butler didn't actually meet and dined with Chicago Bulls head coach Jim Boylen — the two fortuitously happened to dine inside La Scarola, a popular old-school Italian restaurant on W. Grand Ave. in Chicago.
According to Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic, the former Bulls swingman and the newly-extended head coach just happened to cross paths, with no tampering taking place despite a grainy photo that showed the two exchanging a moment inside the acclaimed location.
“But contrary to viral speculation, Boylen did not have dinner with Butler at La Scarola, which would be a violation of tampering rules as Butler is still under contract to Philadelphia. According to a source, Boylen instead dined with new lead assistant Chris Fleming while the Golden State Warriors completed their sweep of the Portland Trail Blazers in the Western Conference Finals. Boylen and Butler crossed paths in the small restaurant as the coaches were were departing and Butler and his party were arriving. The men briefly exchanged pleasantries and went their separate ways.”
Butler is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, which gives him plenty of options with franchises that have opened up enough cap room for one or more max-level players.
The Sixers star can make as much as a five-year, $190 million deal by staying with Philadelphia, but stands to make approximately $50 million less with only four years of contractual security with any other team.
Butler was traded by the Bulls on draft night of 2017, sending him to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn, as well as a pick exchange, which Chicago cashed into Lauri Markkanen.
It's unlikely the Bulls have intentions of signing him back, making this encounter just sheer coincidence and a moment of mutual respect between two diehards of the hardwood.
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