Hoiberg: Butler and I can coexist in Chicago

Chicago Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg insists he and Jimmy Butler can work together, having been in "constant communication" with the star forward.

Hoiberg and Butler, 26, endured a testy relationship in the former's first season in Chicago as the Bulls missed the NBA playoffs for the first time in eight years.

Butler - a two-time All-Star - was also the subject of trade rumours during the NBA Draft last week, but Hoiberg believes the pair can coexist following Derrick Rose's departure to the New York Knicks.

"Jimmy and I have pretty much been in constant communication since the season's been over," Hoiberg said on Monday.

"Being able to sit with him face-to-face, I talked to him on the phone two days ago, he's in a great frame of mind right now. His focus right now as well as being on this team is what he's going to do in representing Team USA.

"The other thing he talked about was coming out and spending a couple days with our young guys out there [in Vegas Summer League]. And I think that's huge for Jimmy to be out there with the five players, and Doug [McDermott] is going to practice with our guys here as well. It's important. It's important to be around our young guys. Jimmy, he's in a very good frame of mind right now."

Butler averaged 20.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists for the Bulls in 2015-16.