NBA Fantasy Tiers: Should You Pick Jimmy Butler This Week?

Jimmy Butler, SF/PF, Miami Heat

Oct 24-30 games: vs DET, @ BOS, @ MIN

Per game predictions: 24 pts., 6 REB, 6 AST, 2 STL

In 2022, Jimmy Butler shot a career best .539% from the field, averaging 22.9 pts., 5.9 REB, 5.3 AST, and 1.8 STL per game. That said, maintenance on his knee injuries limited Butler to under 60 games played. What’s his status heading into Week 1 of the 2023 NBA season?

Other than a new hairstyle (hello Prince circa 1982) and a few missed pre-season games for some dental work, not much has changed. Butler returns as a starting 3/4 whenever he makes it onto the hardwood and is expected to get about 34 minutes of playing time each contest in a featured role.

Butler is still a prime player; even if he’s no longer in the first few fantasy tiers, ‘Jimmy Playoffs’ commands your attention and respect as a value pick candidate a little further down. In particular, he seems poised for a quick start in 2023 against beatable competition in Miami’s home opener.

On October 25th, consider Butler at home against the Pistons. In that game, he will likely spend some time matched up with Detroit’s rookie SF/SG, Ausar Thompson. Thompson is a quality player, especially on defense, but one has to wonder about his ability to come in game one and cover a star player in Butler. Look for Butler to open up the 2023 show with a big game against Detroit.

On October 27th, things get a little trickier as Butler and Miami hit the road to head to Boston, where his likely match-ups will be against SF Jaylen Brown (27 pts. 7 REB, 4 AST and 1 STL average in ‘22), and/or PF Jayson Tatum (30 pts. 9 REB, 5  AST, 1 STL), depending on how lineups are made on the night. These are both tough, younger players with more bounce left in their legs than Butler but far less game experience. Limiting Butler will be part of the Celtics game plan on the night.

To cap the week, Butler and the Heat travel to Minnesota on Oct 28th to face the Timberwolves. In this game, Butler will square off against SF Jaden Daniels, who is currently day-to-day with a calf injury, so advantage Butler there. But, when Butler slides down to the low post, he can expect to be met by a much bigger and very capable PF in Karl-Anthony Towns (‘22 numbers: 21 pts, 8 REB, 5 AST per game). Look for Miami to keep Jimmy at range in this game and focus on exploiting the Daniels match-up. We guess Jimmy will have a couple of extra 3-point attempts in this game.

On the balance, Jimmy Butler should be fresh going into Week 1 of the 2023 NBA season. His matchups against Detroit and Minnesota seem favorable, and he is likely to record full starter’s minutes in all three games, barring any unforeseen setbacks with his knees. All that said, Jimmy Butler is a solid mid-tier pick to start off your 2023 NBA Fantasy Tiers season on Splash Sports.