The Washington Wizards have undergone significant changes this offseason, starting with a new front-office team led by President Michael Winger. Those changes have been none more evident than the team trading three-time All-Star Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns and Kristaps Porzingis to the Boston Celtics.
Washington’s changes continue this offseason and now have included its development. On Monday, the team parted ways with guard Quenton Jackson and signed former Baylor star Jared Butler to a two-way contract.
Jackson turned an Exhibit 10 deal with the Wizards into a two-way contract last season after going undrafted out of Texas A&M. He averaged 9.6 points on 46.5% shooting from the field, including 30.8% from three, in 15 games with Washington’s G-League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go.
Jackson appeared in nine games with the Wizards. He averaged 6.2 points and shot 45.2% from the field. But Jackson struggled from three, making just one of his 12 attempts.
He played with the Wizards during this month’s Las Vegas Summer League. Jackson’s struggles continued. He shot 36% from the field, and 25% from three in five games.
Meanwhile, Butler was an aggressive defensive stopper for the Baylor Bears during the team’s run to the 2021 NCAA championship. He was a second-round draft pick and spent his first two seasons with the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Jared Butler has played 48 NBA games. He averaged 4.1 points, shot 41.5% from the field, and 34.3% from three thus far. The 6-foot-3 guard is an above-average defender. He can also move the ball and score.
He highlighted those attributes in his 30-point, eight-assist performance against Kansas. Then his 22 points and seven assists in Baylor’s national championship game win over Gonzaga.
During this year’s Vegas Summer League, Butler averaged 20.0 points while shooting 50% from the field, and 48.3% from three in four games.
Long-term Butler is probably the better option. His skillset complements the Wizards’ new star, Jordan Poole. While Ryan Rollins showed promise in Summer League play, Butler could slot in as a reserve to Tyus Jones at point guard, with the potential to grow in a larger role for a Wizards team rebuilding.
