Yesterday, I started this series of Scouting Profile articles by scouting Andrew Carr as if I was evaluating him as an NBA prospect. That gives us the chance to look at these players through the professional lens of the sport and how each player’s game looks from that perspective.

Today, we’ll be scouting senior point guard Lamont Butler. Here is my report on him:

NBA Draft Scouting Report:

Lamont Butler

•Position: Point Guard

•Jersey Number: #1

•Height/Weight: 6’2”, 195 lbs

•College: Kentucky (Transfer from San Diego State)

Career Stats

•2023-24 (San Diego State): 10.4 PPG, 3.2 APG, 1.7 SPG, 43% FG, 35% 3PT

•2022-23 (San Diego State): 8.8 PPG, 3.3 APG, 1.5 SPG, 42% FG, 33% 3PT

•2021-22 (San Diego State): 7.2 PPG, 3.5 APG, 1.8 SPG, 40% FG, 32% 3PT

Physical Profile

At 6’2” with a strong, athletic build, Butler possesses good size for a point guard. His frame allows him to play physically on both ends of the floor and his quickness makes him an ideal defender against guards.

Offensive Strengths

•Playmaking: Lamont is a solid facilitator who reads the floor well. He’s adept at running pick-and-rolls and setting up teammates in transition, demonstrating great court vision.

•Shooting: Butler has improved as a perimeter shooter over his college career. Though not elite from deep, he’s capable of hitting open threes and making shots off the dribble.

•Slashing: With a quick first step, Lamont can penetrate defenses and finish around the basket, especially in transition. He’s good at navigating traffic and using his body to shield defenders while finishing at the rim.

•Leadership: He is a vocal leader and an experienced player, making him a strong candidate to be the captain of any team he’s on.

Defensive Strengths

•On-Ball Defense: One of Butler’s biggest strengths is his defense. He’s an aggressive on-ball defender with quick hands, consistently disrupting opposing guards. His lateral quickness allows him to stay in front of faster players while his strength helps him handle bigger matchups.

•Off-Ball Defense: Butler is a smart team defender who excels at jumping passing lanes and creating turnovers, as evidenced by his high steal rate.

Areas of Improvement

•Consistent Shooting: While Lamont Butler has improved his shooting, he’s still not a consistent threat from the three, which could be a concern at the NBA level. Working on a more reliable outside shot will help him stay on the floor as a point guard in his career.

•Decision Making: Butler can sometimes be turnover-prone when pressured, particularly when forced to make quick decisions in high-intensity moments. Fine-tuning his decision-making in half-court sets will be crucial.

•Finishing in Traffic: Though an effective finisher, he struggles at times to finish over bigger defenders in the paint. Developing more craft around the rim and a reliable floater would help in these situations.

NBA Comparison

Lamont Butler has drawn comparisons to guards like Patrick Beverley and Davion Mitchell due to his tenacious defense and solid playmaking ability. While not a go-to scorer, he can be a disruptive force defensively and a capable secondary ball handler.

Draft Projection

Butler is projected as a late second-round pick or undrafted prospect with strong potential to fill a role as a defensive specialist and backup point guard. His ability to defend both guard spots, combined with improving offensive skills, gives him a solid foundation to earn a spot in an NBA rotation. He is also a vocal leader and has an undeniable motor, which makes him an attractive add for any NBA team looking for a perimeter pest. If he continues to develop his shooting and decision-making, Butler could become a valuable 3-and-D guard capable of contributing on both ends of the floor.

Now that Andrew Carr and Lamont Butler have been scouted, keep an eye out for my next NBA Scouting Profile!

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