Jared Butler Not Playing For Jazz At Vegas Summer League

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Rookie guard Jared Butler will not be playing for the Utah Jazz at the Las Vegas Summer League.

After winning the national championship at Baylor, Butler had to enter the NBA’s Fitness-To-Play protocol to show that his heart was healthy enough to compete after college.

Jazz general manager Justin Zanik said Butler has been working out with the organization but does not plan to compete in Las Vegas.

“Jared on a full workout regimen individually,” Zanik said. “Basically the return to play protocol from being off in the offseason. I kind of feel like if Vegas was 10 days later for summer league he would play.”

Updated profile on the newest member of the @utahjazz Jared Butler.

Quotes from GM Justin Zanik on what fans should expect, and what @kslsports learned about the guard's medical history which may have caused him to slip on draft night. #takenote 

https://t.co/Iy4iWTPHbY

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) July 30, 2021

The Butler guard last played in a competitive setting in Baylor’s championship win over Gonzaga on April 5, giving him a full four-month layoff between action.

“There’s no need to have his first contact being really competitive live games,” Zanik said. “I think we will be able to accomplish a lot of that in our open gym period after Labor Day, two or three weeks before camp starts.”

Butler was a two-time All-Big 12 team member, a Big-12 All-Defensive team selection, and was named the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player after leading the Bears to the NCAA title.

The guard averaged 16.7 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.3 rebounds during Baylor’s championship run as a junior while shooting 47 percent from the floor and 41 percent from the three-point line during his final season with the Bears.

The guard was projected by most outlets to be selected just outside of the lottery in the first round but fell to the Jazz with the 40th pick due in part to a medical issue concerning his heart.