By Stavros Barbarousis/ info@eurohoops.net
The 25-year-old point guard Jared Butler chose Belgrade and Crvena zvezda, according to Eurohoops sources, instead of Partizan, which was also interested, while he was a player proposed to and seriously considered by Olympiacos as well.
Both Serbian clubs are dealing with absences in the guard positions due to injuries — Isaiah Canaan, Tyson Carter, Devonte Graham, and Ognjen Dobrić for Crvena zvezda, and Carlik Jones and Shake Milton for Partizan — while Olympiacos is also missing Keenan Evans.
However, Olympiacos never entered advanced negotiations or any sort of “bidding war” to secure the American player’s signature.
According to Eurohoops information, the former Sixers player has now decided to agree and sign the contract offered by Crvena zvezda, marking his first time playing in Europe in his career.
Butler was selected 40th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Pelicans. He has appeared in 148 NBA games, averaging 6.7 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, having played for the Jazz, Thunder, Wizards, and most recently, the Sixers.
With Philadelphia, he had the best season of his career, averaging 11.5 points and 4.9 assists in 28 games, starting in place of Tyrese Maxey when he was injured.
In 2021, he won the NCAA championship with Baylor and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player (MOP).