PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns biggest under the radar signing this past offseason was for point guard Jared Butler. The score-first 24-year-old has increased his scoring every season since he was drafted in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft. Butler was a former national champion and has used that championship grit to improve his game in plenty of different scenery.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Butler has played for four teams in four seasons: The Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, Washington Wizard and Philadelphia 76ers. He ended last year starting 16 of the 76ers last 19 games, where he averaged 13.3 points, 5.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds on 36.9% 3-point shooting.
Apr 9, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared Butler (12) shoots the ball over Washington Wizards guard Colby Jones (1) in the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
The Suns signed Butler to an Exhibit 9 contract, which doesn’t guarantee him a roster spot on next year’s roster. However, Phoenix would be making a grave mistake on not signing Butler for next year as he answers the team’s major bench problem.
How Butler solves the Suns bench:
Apr 11, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared Butler (12) controls the ball against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The Suns bench lack of ball handlers is the biggest problem heading into the 2025-2026 season. Other guards like Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale are more off ball players that are knockdown shooters. Collin Gillespie is considered a true point guard, but only got his first opportunity last season and lacks experience on being a regular rotational player.
Apr 13, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared Butler (12) passes the ball against the Chicago Bulls in the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Phoenix bench is filled with rookies and off-ball players, which puts the pressure on players like Devin Booker and Jalen Green to facilitate the offense for others instead of focusing on their game. Butler would open the door as the ball handler by pressuring the rim and forcing the defense to collapse for open shooters on the perimeter.
Butler is comfortable with the ball in his hands and doesn’t have tunnel vision when it comes to finding his teammates. His finishing ability and elusiveness when driving to the basket is what makes him a tough cover for defenders. The Suns don’t have another player for their bench at the same caliber as Butler in that regard.
Mar 29, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared Butler (12) controls the ball against the Miami Heat in the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
While his roster spot isn’t confirmed, Butler’s spot on next year’s roster should be a lock with his ability offensively. At 6’1, Butler is undersized, meaning he has troubled guarding his position. However, Jordan Ott can easily hide him in the corner defensively, or if he is trapped in a one-on-one, the Suns have many defensive anchor centers ready to help.
Butler can make a serious impact on the Suns and will be the team’s biggest signing when looking back to this year’s offseason.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
