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Utah Jazz add solid backcourt talent in Jared Butler with second-round pick

The Jazz selected Jared Butler with the No. 40 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. We break down his impact on the roster, betting implications and fantasy basketball outlook.

By Chinmay Vaidya
Baylor v Gonzaga
Jared Butler of the Baylor Bears reacts after a basket in the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first half in the National Championship game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

The Utah Jazz have selected Baylor guard Jared Butler with the No. 40 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft on Thursday night. The Jazz were the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference heading into the playoffs and fell to the Los Angeles Clippers in the second round in six games.

The Jazz will enter next season with heavy expectations coming off the 1-seed. It was in a season where the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and even Denver Nuggets dealt with injuries after having aspirations of the first seed. The Jazz will bring back basically the entire lineup outside of Mike Conley, who will become a free agent on August 2. Utah could use some depth at guard and could address that need in free agency. Either way, unless other teams in the West load up even more, Utah will have a shot at competing for the 1-seed again in 2021-22.

Utah Jazz 2021 NBA Draft picks

No. 40, second round: Jared Butler, G, Baylor

Fantasy basketball outlook

Jared Butler — The Baylor guard slid down boards due to health concerns even though he was ultimately cleared ahead of the draft. Butler is a smart player who excels offensively and can hold his own on defense. He’s not going to be a star, but he will fit in well with Utah’s system. Butler’s three-point shooting and ball-handling abilities will be key for a contending team. Don’t expect more than rotation-level fantasy output from Butler to start the year, but he could see an expanded role as the season moves along. If Mike Conley departs, expect more minutes from Butler right off the bat.

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