Inside The Wizards

Wizards Two-Way Player Soaking Up Opportunity

The Washington Wizards may be giving one of their prospects an extended opportunity.

Jeremy Brener

Dec 30, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Jared Butler (4) looks to pass as New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) defends during the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
Dec 30, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards guard Jared Butler (4) looks to pass as New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) defends during the fourth quarter at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images / Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
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Washington Wizards guard Jared Butler is one of just 88 players in the NBA on a two-way contract.

These 88 players are most often in the G League, and hardly get a chance to play in front of their teammates in the NBA. However, for a team like the Wizards enduring a rebuild and injuries, Butler has been awarded an extended opportunity.

Butler scored 17 points in the team's game on Sunday against the New Orleans Pelicans after not playing more than 10 minutes in a game since Dec. 15. He explained after the game how difficult it can be to stay ready.

“Yeah it's extremely difficult," Butler said. "I think that's why things like the G League and games playing yesterday helped me just kind of stay in a rhythm. And basketball-wise, it's just hard because as a competitor you want to play and you want to compete. It's like you just need it every once in a while, so that's the difficult part.”

Just one day before playing for the Wizards, Butler dropped 19 points for the Capital City Go-Go, and playing in that game helped him get ready to suit up for the NBA squad the next night.

Now, with Malcolm Brogdon out of the lineup and Bub Carrington and Jordan Poole nursing injuries, Butler could be in line for more run with the Wizards.

“It’s the NBA. Opportunities come and go. It's a numbers game. You got to be patient, so I think the biggest thing for me is when I get the opportunity, I make the most of it. That's my philosophy on it.”

Butler and the Wizards are back in action tonight as they welcome the Houston Rockets to town. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET inside Capital One Arena.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.

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