National Basketball Association

Bulls' Hoiberg insists he can work with All-Star Butler

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:13 p.m. ET

foxsports

CHICAGO (AP) Chicago Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg insists he can still work with Jimmy Butler.

Hoiberg was adamant they can coexist even though the two-time All-Star guard called him out last season and did not embrace his offense.

Hoiberg said ''absolutely, I can'' when asked if he can coach Butler. He spoke Monday during a news conference to introduce first-round draft pick Denzel Valentine.

The Bulls missed the playoffs at 42-40 in a difficult first season under Hoiberg and traded 2011 MVP Derrick Rose to New York last week.

Hoiberg says he met with Butler and other players a few weeks ago in Los Angeles and saw him again in Chicago last week. Hoiberg says they have been in ''constant communication'' and Butler is ''in a great frame of mind right now.''