Thunder Guard Battling For Two-Way Spot in Summer League

In early March, Oklahoma City signed then-second year guard Jared Butler to a two-way deal.

The Baylor alumni ended up playing four games with the OKC Blue and making six appearances with the Thunder. Butler was productive and showed flashes in the G League last season, granting the 6-foot-3 guard another chance to earn a spot on the roster.

With the Blue, Butler averaged 14.3 points, 8.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game while shooting 38.9% from 3-point range. In his six NBA games, Butler averaged 6.2 points and 1.3 assists in 12.8 minutes per contest. 

Butler spent his rookie season in Utah, were he appeared in 42 games for the Jazz. In college, Butler helped lead Baylor to a national title, picking up the 2021 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player award along the way.

After getting minutes in the regular season last year and being brought back on a Summer League deal, it is clear that the Thunder organization is interested in what Butler has to offer. 

Through two Summer League games, the third-year guard is averaging 13 points, 3.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per contest. Against the Grizzlies, Butler only accounted for one turnover and knocked down three triples.

The 22-year-old has also looked great on defense during his first two games in Salt Lake City. Butler has already accumulated one block and one steal while sliding his feet well and doing a great job of staying in front of his man. 

A second round pick in 2023, Keyontae Johnson is already slotted in as one of OKC's two-way signings. 

If Butler continues to produce well in the Summer League, however, there is a solid chance that Oklahoma City would bring him back on a two-way deal as well. With NBA rosters expanding to three two-way spots, the Thunder have one more position to shell out to a deserving player.