Jared Butler crossed the Atlantic and, within just a few months, established himself as an “iso master,” putting half of Europe at his feet. What is the 26-year-old guard thinking about his future as he remains under contract with Red Star until 2027?
The 26-year-old playmaker was a target for reigning EuroLeague champion Olympiacos and head coach Georgios Bartzokas, but ultimately chose Belgrade as the destination for his European adventure, signing with Red Star. In fact, he agreed to a one-and-a-half-year deal that runs through July 2027.
From his very first days in Red Star’s colors, the former Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, Washington Wizards, and Philadelphia 76ers guard showcased his scoring talent. Conventional wisdom says that scoring in Europe is more difficult because of the league’s physical defenses and smaller court dimensions, which naturally create less space. Butler, however, spent his rookie EuroLeague season proving that he can attack the basket whenever—and however—he wants.
His numbers across 32 EuroLeague appearances for Red Star speak for themselves: 13.4 points per game on 51.4% two-point shooting, 36.4% from beyond the arc, and 81.2% from the free-throw line, along with 2.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists. What makes those figures even more impressive is that he did not carry a heavy workload. Averaging just 20 minutes per game, Butler consistently found ways to make an impact under the guidance of Sasa Obradovic.
Recently, BasketNews described him as the best isolation scorer in the EuroLeague, and that label is far from an exaggeration.
A quick look at the numbers explains why. In today’s EuroLeague, a player producing 0.9 points per isolation possession is generally considered very good. Reaching 1.0 point per possession places a player in elite territory. Butler, however, posted 1.1 points per isolation possession before he had even fully adjusted to the European game, doing so against disciplined defenses and detail-oriented coaches.
It is also worth noting that isolation plays account for roughly 20% of his offensive profile. In those situations, he converts at an impressive 45.3% rate. Stats don’t lie.
Butler’s isolation scoring ability has elevated him near the top of the list of guards who could become major names on the transfer market this summer. Red Star would undoubtedly like to keep him—and all signs suggest the Serbian club is in a strong position to do so. At the same time, the NBA door has not completely closed.
One thing, however, is certain: every EuroLeague team would gladly have a point guard with Butler’s skill set running its offense. Especially now that he is set to enter his second season in Europe, carrying far more experience and confidence after overcoming the initial challenges of transitioning from the United States to the European game.