The Oklahoma City Thunder have closed the signing of Jared Butler through a dual contract, as confirmed by his agent, Mark Bartelstein, to the journalist of ESPN Adrian Wojnarowski.
Butler was a key member of the 2021 NCAA championship won by Baylor University, a season in which he averaged 16.7 points, 4.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game. However, concerns about his health affected his draft prospects, which resulted in him dropping to 40th overall, where he was taken by the Utah Jazz.
The point guard completed his rookie season in the Salt Lake City franchise, although without being able to settle in the rotation of, at that time, coach Quin Snyder: in 42 games he averaged 3.8 points and 1.5 assists. Later he would be cut before the start of the 2022-23 academic year despite the fact that his salary of 1.6 million was guaranteed.
Since then, Butler, 22, has played for the Grand Rapids Gold, the Nuggets’ affiliate in the Development League. In said competition he has signed a notable performance that has resulted in 19.5 points, 5.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 18 games. The Thunder had a dual slot open, so they won’t need to give up any player to sign Butler.
(Cover photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
