Jared

Butler

Phoenix rested most of their starters in this game, which gave Butler the opportunity to shine. Butler and Jordan Goodwin (24/4/6) led the way for the Suns, but there isn’t much for fantasy managers to take away, other than both guards have some upside to provide streaming value when Devin Booker or Jalen Green is sidelined.

Butler saw significant minutes for the first time in his career in 28 games with the Sixers last year. The 24-year-old shooting guard averaged 11.5 points per game, 4.9 assists per game and 1.1 steals per game with the Sixers last year. Butler could earn minutes once again on a rebuilding Suns team this year.

Butler appeared in 60 games last season, 28 as a member of the 76ers after being acquired from the Wizards at the February trade deadline. The former second-round pick was one of the players whose minutes increased once Philadelphia shifted its focus toward strengthening the odds that they would keep their first-round pick, which was top-6 protected. Butler averaged 11.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.6 three-pointers in 24.4 minutes per game as a 76ers player. With Philadelphia declining his option, Butler will be an unrestricted free agent.

This was one of Butler’s best performances of the season, and it ended up being his highest-scoring game as a 76er. He scored 26 points in January when he was with the Wizards, which actually came against the 76ers. Butler has been an excellent fantasy option during the final few weeks of the last few seasons, but he hasn’t been able to find a situation where he can play a significant role early on. That is unlikely to change with Philadelphia next season, but he should play a ton in the season finale against Chicago on Sunday.

Philadelphia has no reason to make their players play through minor ailments, especially players as good as Grimes. His absence will help improve their lottery odds. Lonnie Walker IV and Jared Butler should be in line for extra minutes and shots with Grimes sidelined.

Grimes has been doing it all for the Sixers lately, and his absence would be a huge loss for the team. With Edwards also banged up, Lonnie Walker IV and Jared Butler should see more playing time, with Walker IV the preferred fantasy option.

Butler has recently provided solid late-round fantasy value, as he has been an 11th-round player over the past two weeks. While he won’t offer much value on the boards, the assists, steals and three-pointers have made Butler worthy of rostering in deep leagues. With the 76ers playing four games during Week 23, he should see plenty of action, whether he starts or comes off the bench.

The 76ers are without Guerschon Yabusele, who has been ruled out with a sore knee. His absence means Bona moves into the starting lineup, and the rookie should be streamed in deep leagues. The other change is Grimes, who returns to the lineup after sitting out Sunday’s loss to the Raptors. The former Knicks first-round pick replaces Jared Butler, who will come off the bench.

The 76ers are without Quentin Grimes and Guerschon Yabusele, opening up two spots in the starting lineup. Walker and Council will fill the resulting voids, and both players are worth streaming in deep leagues. Also, Butler should play plenty since Jeff Dowtin Jr. is inactive.

With Jeff Dowtin Jr. inactive for two-way contract reasons, Butler returned to the starting lineup on Saturday. His 10 assists were a season-high, and Jared has reached double figures in points in consecutive games for the first time in nearly three weeks. Dowtin can only be active for two more games this season; unless Philadelphia gives him a standard contract, Butler will have more opportunities to start. An 11th-round player in nine-cat formats over the past two weeks, he’s rostered in 18 percent of Yahoo! leagues.