Fred Hoiberg called speculation that Jimmy Butler trade talk emanates from a damaged relationship between him and Butler "completely false."

Butler is in the first season of a new contract with the Chicago Bulls.

Several teams, including the Boston Celtics, inquired about the availability of Butler at the deadline.

"I don't plan on going anywhere," said Butler. "I can't control what everybody else does. I know that this is the city that I love, Chicago. And I want to wear that jersey. I want to wear that name on the front, and I wear it proudly. All I got to do is continue to control what I can control. That's try to help this team win games."

Butler ripped Hoiberg after a December loss, saying he had to "coach harder."

"To tell you the truth, I don't pay attention to the rumors," Butler said. "Somebody sent [the story] to me today, and I just clicked off of it. I mean, why am I getting in [to the speculation]? I can't control it. I can't say don't do this or don't do that. That's not my job. If I do what I'm supposed to do on the floor, then everything else takes care of itself. I'm a firm believer in that."

Hoiberg said his relationship with Butler has improved since the comments.

"I haven't heard anything about [the report]," Hoiberg said before the game. "But again, I don't read a lot right now. I think Jimmy and I have a really good relationship right now. I've been communicating a lot with him. Since he had the injury and has come back we've really limited his time. He hasn't done much in shootaround just to try and save his legs for the game. I obviously think the world of him for how hard he pushes himself and how much he's just improved his game over the years with his work ethic. I think that rubs off onto the other guys. So Jimmy absolutely is a very important part to this team."