"As Caron Butler(notes) completes his personal tour of NBA suitors, the Chicago Bulls remain the team to beat for him, league sources said.

Butler left his meeting with the Bulls earlier this week with a deep appreciation for coach Tom Thibodeau, sources said. Butler's willingness to possibly take less money from a championship contender is made easier with his personal business holdings.

Butler, 31, has also met with the Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs and New Jersey Nets this week. The Clippers and Nets have room underneath the salary cap to offer Butler more than the $5 million midlevel exception."