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Bulls’ Jimmy Butler selected as NBA’s Most Improved Player

Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) drives to the lane against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the first half of Game 2 in a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, May 6, 2015, in Cleveland. The Cavaliers won 106-91. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) drives to the lane against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the first half of Game 2 in a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, May 6, 2015, in Cleveland. The Cavaliers won 106-91. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (21) drives to the lane against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) during the first half of Game 2 in a second-round NBA basketball playoff series Wednesday, May 6, 2015, in Cleveland. The Cavaliers won 106-91. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

By Associated Press 1 min read

CHICAGO (AP) – Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls has been named the NBA’s Most Improved Player after making his first All-Star team and averaging a career high in scoring.

The 25-year-old Butler received 92 of 129 first-place votes and 535 total points from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors (11 first-place votes, 200 points) was second and Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz (12 first-place votes, 189 points) finished third.

In his fourth season, Butler went from averaging 13.1 to 20 points. His shooting improved from 39.7 to 46.2 percent, his rebounding jumped from 4.9 to 5.8 and his assists increased from 2.6 to 3.3 per game.

Butler is also in line for a huge payday as a restricted free agent.