Bulls pick up free agent Butler

The Bulls finally signed 6-foot-7 swingman Rasual Butler for the remainder of the season on Thursday, three days after he was released by the Los Angeles Clippers.

Butler is expected to be available for Friday’s game in Orlando.

Although he didn’t play much this season, Butler, 31, was a valuable role player the past two years for the Clippers and New Orleans Hornets, averaging more than 11 points per game.

The nine-year veteran, who played in college at LaSalle, was originally a second-round draft pick of the Miami Heat in 2002. He can get hot from 3-point range and should give the Bulls another player who can help spread the floor. He sports a career percentage of .361 from 3-point range.

Butler has appeared in 27 playoff games with Miami and New Orleans.

Butler is not expected to take a major role in the Bulls’ rotation. The addition brings the Bulls roster to 13 players, so Brian Scalabrine may be inactive for games unless there’s an injury.

Butler could conceivably give forward Luol Deng more rest or pair with Kyle Korver to provide the Bulls with two 3-point shooters on the floor.

This move appears to end the availability of players who were released by March 1, making them eligible to join a new team for the playoffs. Miami added guard Mike Bibby, Boston landed power forward Troy Murphy and swingman Sasha Pavlovic, while Dallas is expected to add small forward Corey Brewer.