With the season going wayward from what the Philadelphia 76ers envisaged prior to the beginning of their campaign, the front office has had to make a handful of in-season changes to the team. While they have not been able to effectuate a blockbuster switch-up, players like Quentin Grimes and Jared Butler have come in as solid, reliable additions to the squad.
A lot has already been said about Grimes, who has been a standout for Philly ever since arriving to the team from Dallas. He is not the only one, though. Butler, whom the 76ers acquired from the Wizards for Reggie Jackson, has also been impressive in his own right — so much so that the front office quickly converted his deal into a standard NBA contract.
At first blush, Butler’s numbers are relatively modest. In 25 appearances for the team thus far, the 24-year-old has averaged 10.6 points and 4.9 assists per outing — typical numbers for a second-unit playmaker who is logging more minutes thanks to the team’s depleted lineup.
Jared Butler gives the 76ers another backcourt catalyst
Butler is known more for his conservative play on offense while being someone who can hold his own on defense — and his numbers prove exactly that. However, there is another layer to his game that should make him a consistent factor for the team moving forward.
According to BBall Index, Butler ranks 10th in the entire league in drives per 75 possessions, just behind names like Ja Morant, Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham and LaMelo Ball.
This only shows that Butler is a great catalyst in the backcourt. By knowing how to manipulate pace and exploit lapses in the defense, he can create advantages out of nowhere just by leveraging his speed and taking it to the rack to make plays for himself or for others.
Having another player who can put pressure to the rim, especially off the bench, gives the coaching staff a useful “energizer bunny” who can come in and just alter the game’s wavelength in spurts. Think of someone like TJ McConnell in Indiana, who is feared by opposing bench units for his sneaky offensive profile.
If Butler can build on this, solidifying the backup point guard spot should be a walk in the park for him. After all, the Philadelphia 76ers are in dire need of playmaking in the backcourt, and his frenetic driving game should open up a lot of opportunities for the team on the hardwood.