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Jared Butler 2021 NBA Draft prospect profile

We break down the scouting report for Jared Butler and what to expect from the guard at the NBA level.

Baylor v Gonzaga
Jared Butler of the Baylor Bears celebrates after cutting down the nets after their win against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the National Championship game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Photo by Trevor Brown Jr/NCAA Photos via Getty Images

The 2021 NBA draft will take place Thursday, July 29 with the Detroit Pistons holding the No. 1 pick. The Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic round out the top five selections.

We take a look at some of the prospects available in this draft, gauge their strengths, weaknesses, NBA comparisons and best landing spot within the player’s projected draft range. Here’s a breakdown for Baylor guard Jared Butler.

Strengths

Butler is a great ball handler and shifts his direction extremely well, leading to a strong offensive profile. He’s an excellent three-point shooter, something that helped him stay involved in Baylor’s offense during the tournament when he generally struggled from the floor. His passing is not amazing, but it’s not a weak point. Butler puts in great effort defensively and generates steals on that side of the ball.

Weaknesses

How much of his success was a result of the system and players around him? Butler’s upside might not be high as a result. His size could be an issue as his athleticism declines.

Player Comparison

Butler compares well to Kyle Lowry, who has emerged as a valuable contributor after initially struggling in the league. Both are undersized for the position, but have the athleticism to overcome that. Butler may not reach Lowry’s heights, but he has a similar game.

Best Landing Spot

Butler is likely to be available in the mid-late first round, meaning teams like the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets are in play. Depending on what the Rockets do with the No. 2 selection, Butler could be an important part of that rebuild. He’s been part of a program transformation at Baylor and there’s no reason he can’t be part of it in the same state at the professional level.