Jared Butler: Who Is He?
Jared Butler is an American professional basketball guard currently playing for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA. Born on August 25, 2000, in Reserve, Louisiana, Butler rose to national prominence playing for Baylor University, where he was a key part of Baylor’s 2021 NCAA Championship team.
Early Life & College Career
Growing up in Louisiana, Butler attended Riverside Academy (Reserve, LA) before committing to Baylor. As a collegiate athlete from 2018 to 2021, Butler developed into a two-way guard, known for scoring, playmaking, and defense. In his final year, he earned consensus first-team All-American honors, and was named Final Four Most Outstanding Player when Baylor won the 2021 NCAA title. His college stats showed steady growth in field goal percentage, three-point shooting, and assists.
Because of his college success, NBA teams viewed Butler as a promising mid-second round pick with upside as a scoring guard and secondary playmaker.
After college, he was drafted in 2021 with the 40th overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans, but his rights were traded to the Utah Jazz. His professional journey since has included multiple teams, two-way contracts, and flashes of potential.
Contract & Career Moves
Butler’s NBA contract history has been somewhat atypical—characterized by non-guaranteed deals, two-way contracts, conversions, and movement across franchises.
Early NBA Contract & Utah Jazz
After being selected in 2021, he signed a rookie scale contract with the Jazz. In his initial NBA season, Butler split time between the Jazz and their G League affiliate (Salt Lake City Stars). Over time, he was waived by Utah in October 2022.
Move to Washington & Contract Conversion
In July 2023, Butler signed a two-way contract with the Washington Wizards. Under that contract, he spent time with both the Wizards’ NBA roster and their G League affiliate (Capital City Go-Go).
By March 5, 2024, after impressing during his two-way tenure, the Wizards converted Butler’s deal to a multi-year standard NBA contract, giving him more security. However, the Wizards later waived him in October 2024.
Trade to Philadelphia & Standard Deal
On February 6, 2025, Butler was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for guard Reggie Jackson and draft assets. Just a week later, the 76ers converted Butler’s two-way contract into a standard two-year NBA contract. This move signified that the 76ers saw potential value and stability in Butler as part of their roster.
Signing with Phoenix Suns
In July 2025, Butler signed a one-year deal with the Phoenix Suns reportedly worth around $2,461,463 (average annual salary). Because it is an exhibit or non-guaranteed arrangement initially, the Suns retain flexibility while evaluating Butler’s roster fit.
Spotrac confirms his contract details: one year, $2,461,463. Note that NBA contracts often include guarantees, bonuses, and non-guaranteed clauses, making the full value contingent on performance and roster status.
Summing up, Butler’s contract path has reflected his “on the cusp” status—valuable as a depth guard, yet needing consistency to secure long-term deals.
Stats: College, NBA Regular Season & Preseason Breakout
To understand Butler’s game, we must examine his statistical profile from college, regular season, and preseason performances.
College Statistics
During his Baylor tenure, Butler’s numbers steadily improved. Over three seasons:
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2018–19: ~10.2 PPG (on ~39.5% FG, 35.1% 3PT)
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2019–20: ~16.0 PPG, ~38.1% 3PT shooting
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2020–21: ~16.7 PPG, ~41.6% from three, with higher assist and steals averages.
His all-around contributions (scoring, assists, defense) and ability to step up in big moments were core to his NBA potential.
NBA Regular Season Performance
Butler’s NBA career has had modest averages, reflecting limited minutes and fluctuating roles.
As of the 2024–25 season, his career regular season statistics (across teams) include:
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~13.8 minutes per game
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FG% ~45.0%, 3PT% ~34.1%
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~6.7 PPG average overall
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In the 2024–25 season specifically: 17.4 MPG, 44.8% FG, 35.5% 3PT, 9.0 PPG, 3.7 APG, 1.8 RPG
His usage and efficiency hints at a guard who can score in bursts, but consistency and extended opportunity remain challenges.
Preseason Breakout & Recent Surge
In the 2025 preseason, Butler turned heads. In one notable game versus the Los Angeles Lakers, he exploded for 35 points on 14-of-26 shooting, including 5-of-10 from three, along with 7 rebounds, 9 assists, and 1 steal in 34 minutes.
That performance was extraordinary and got media and fan attention, especially given his roster uncertainty. For reference, his preseason per-game averages have included around 9.0 PPG, 3.7 APG, with an effective FG% over 50% (51.4% eFG) in some preseason reporting.
This “preseason breakout” shows Butler’s ability when given ball control and scoring responsibility. It gives credence to the idea that he might thrive in a bench scoring / combo guard role if his minutes and usage increase.
Key statistical takeaways:
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Butler can score efficiently when aggressive, especially in the preseason setting.
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His assist numbers in those games show he can also run offense.
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If he carries that into the regular season, it could earn him more playing time and a bigger role.
Thus, the “preseason breakout” is more than hype — it’s a data point confirming his potential when fully unleashed.
Brother: Is Jared Butler Related to Jimmy Butler?
One question among fans is whether Jared Butler is related to NBA star Jimmy Butler. The short answer: no, there is no known familial relation.
Jimmy Butler is a well-known NBA wing (Minnesota, Philadelphia, etc.), whereas Jared Butler comes from Louisiana and the Baylor school pipeline. Publicly, there is no evidence of a family tie. A Facebook group claim mentioned that Jimmy showed love for “younger brother” following Jared’s 35-point game, but that likely reflects fan symbolism or nickname usage, not an actual biological relationship.
Thus, any suggestion of a brotherhood between them is anecdotal or metaphorical, not factual.
Why Jared Butler Could Be the 2025–26 Preseason Breakout Candidate
Putting together his contract situation, stats, and recent performance, there is a strong case that Jared Butler could emerge as a preseason breakout candidate. Here are the reasons:
1. Motivation & Contract Year Pressure
Butler is in a one-year deal with the Suns. That naturally adds incentive to perform at a high level so as to earn a more lucrative future deal or secure his place on the roster.
Moreover, his contract structure (non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed) means he must prove himself. When that kind of pressure meets opportunity, players often elevate their game.
2. Preseason Performance as Proof of Concept
The 35-point explosion is a sign that Butler’s scoring ceiling is higher than his regular-season output suggests. When given high usage, he appears capable of carrying offensive load. That gives coaches and front offices reason to experiment with more minutes or a bench lead guard slot.
When players in similar “on the cusp” roles deliver in preseason, they sometimes lock down regular-season rotations.
3. Backcourt Depth & Roster Fit
With Phoenix, Butler joins a backcourt that includes stars such as Devin Booker and Jalen Green. His role will likely be as a secondary ballhandler / scoring spark off the bench. The Suns may see him as a complementary piece rather than a pure starter, which is often the optimal path for a breakout guard on a strong team.
If he can consistently deliver a 3-and-D or scoring punch when the starters rest, Butler could solidify a role.
4. Statistical Upside
Butler’s shooting splits in college and parts of his NBA career show promise. His ability to hit threes, run offense, and defend means that if he can sustain his preseason form across the season, his counting stats should rise. Increased assists, scoring, and impact per minute could result.
5. Narrative & Media Momentum
Players who get noticed early in preseason often build media narrative and fan expectation, which can translate into more opportunities as coaches feel pressure to test what’s working. Butler’s big game vs. the Lakers is already being highlighted in news coverage.
Thus, even if he doesn’t start the season as a main rotation piece, he might be the player to watch early and could ride momentum into consistent minutes.
Challenges & What He Must Prove
Even strong preseason showings and a promising contract year are not a guarantee. Here are hurdles Butler must clear to make his breakout sustainable:
A. Consistency Over Sample Size
One or two big games are promising, but Butler must replicate efficiency, decision-making, and defense over months. Any streaks of cold shooting or turnovers will threaten his rotation spot.
B. Defense & Physical Matchups
As a guard, he must defend both on and off the ball. Opposing teams will test him with quicker guards or bigger ones. He must show he can hold up defensively, especially in higher minutes.
C. Fit with Phoenix’s System
The Suns will demand that Butler gives them the right balance between scoring and facilitating without disrupting star flow. If he becomes too ball-dominant or takes ill-advised shots, his role may be reduced.
D. Health & Durability
Staying healthy through preseason, training camp, and the long NBA season is critical. Guard injuries or lingering minor issues can derail momentum.
E. Contract Security & Future Deals
Since he’s on a one-year deal, his performance this season will heavily influence his next contract. A subpar season could send him back into two-way or borderline spot deals.
Projected Outlook for 2025–26 Season
Given his trajectory, Butler’s 2025–26 season may unfold like this:
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He begins the season benching behind starters, with occasional starts or expanded minutes when injuries or rest demand it.
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Coaches will likely test him as the “sixth man” type guard — someone who can create scoring and relieve pressure off Booker/Green.
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If he maintains shooting splits around 40% FG, 35%+ 3PT, with assist-to-turnover balance and defensive reliability, Butler could average 12–15 PPG, 4–5 APG, and 2–3 RPG in ~25 minutes per game.
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Success could lead Phoenix to re-sign him for multiple years, or at least convert his salary into a fully guaranteed deal.
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If not, he may return to a bench- or dual-role guard across teams.
If he fails to deliver, he risks being marginalized again, or bounced among two-way deals.
Conclusion
Jared Butler’s path in the NBA has been one of incremental growth, opportunity, and flashes of high upside. His contract history shows the tenuous balance between potential and proof. His college and NBA statistics reveal consistency but also untapped ceiling. The standout 35-point preseason outing is more than a highlight — it might be the spark for a breakout season.
Though he is not related to Jimmy Butler, Jared is forging his own narrative. In 2025–26, Butler may well be a names-to-watch guard, especially if he can convert preseason promise into regular-season consistency.
