Jimmy Butler Era

Lore & Background

Butler played college basketball for the Marquette Golden Eagles before being selected by the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the 2011 NBA draft with the 30th overall pick. In 2015, he was named the NBA Most Improved Player. After six seasons in Chicago, he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in June 2017, and was then again traded in November 2018, this time to the Philadelphia 76ers. In July 2019, he signed with the Miami Heat. During his first season with the team, Butler reached the NBA Finals. In 2021, he led the league in steals. In 2023, Butler and the eighth-seeded Heat played in the 2023 NBA Finals, their second appearance in four years. Amidst conflicts with the Heat's front office, Butler was traded to the Warriors in 2025.

Reader's Guide

Butler was born in Houston on September 14, 1989. His father, Jimmy Butler Jr., left the family when Butler was an infant. Butler lived with his mother in the Houston suburb of Tomball, until she kicked him out of the house when he was 13 years old. He moved between the homes of various friends. In a summer basketball league before his senior year at Tomball High School, he was noticed by Jordan Leslie, and Butler stayed at Leslie's house for a few months. As a senior and team captain in 2006–07, Butler averaged 19.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. He attended Tyler Junior College, then Marquette University. He was selected with the 30th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls. He played for the Bulls, Timberwolves, 76ers, Heat, and Warriors.

Did You Know?

• Butler was named the 2014–15 NBA Most Improved Player.
• He scored a career-high 53 points in a 2016 game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
• Butler recorded his first career triple-double on April 2, 2016.