Jimmy Butler sends heartfelt message to Chicago after Timberwolves trade

Chicago is the only NBA city Jimmy Butler knows. It's the city that drafted him. The city where he spent the first six seasons of his career. The city where he became a star.

On Friday, roughly 18 hours after he, along with the 16th overall pick in the NBA draft (Justin Patton), was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine and the seventh pick (Lauri Markkanen), Butler posted a heartfelt message on Instagram.

"Chicago, What can I say?!" Butler began. "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."

Butler, who was taken with the 30th overall pick by the Bulls in 2011 after playing one season at Tyler Junior College and three seasons at Marquette, also thanked the Bulls organization and the Reinsdorf family for "taking a chance" on him.

"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!"

The most notable familiar face, of course, is Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau, who coached Butler in Chicago until 2015. 

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