Oklahoma City Thunder Officially Sign Former National Champion Guard

A former member of the National Champion Baylor Bears, he was at one time a consensus first-round pick. Now, after tearing it up in the G League this season, 6'4" guard Jared Butler is joining the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

Thunder are signing guard Jared Butler to their last 2-Way spot per @wojespn

Butler was a consensus first round pick before health issues rises in 2021

Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/WnfRH8LRbU

— TF (@ThunderFocus) March 2, 2023

It's a two-way deal for Butler, who, with the Grand Rapids Gold this season during the G League Showcase Cup, shot 46% on threes, while averaging 19.5 points, 5.2 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 18 games. 

Butler slipped to the second round, 40th overall, in the 2021 NBA Draft, after health concerns surrounding a rare heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. His draft stock dropped from being a potential first-rounder.

The 22-year-old played his rookie season last year with the Utah Jazz, but he only got into an average of 8.6 minutes per game, across 42 contests. He averaged 3.8 points and 1.5 assists. 

Butler joins a Thunder team that just lost one of its key rotation players to a season-ending injury.  

Photo: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports