Jimmy Butler: Where the 29 players drafted before him are now

Kyrie Irving (No. 1 by Cavaliers) – The 2016 NBA champion and eight-time NBA All-Star, who averaged 27 points a game (2022-23), is eligible to sign for $272 million over five years with the Mavericks. 

Derrick Williams (No. 2 by Timberwolves) – The power forward was out of the league by 2018 (averaged 8.9 points, four rebounds and 0.7 assists over 428 career games). Since then, he’s been playing overseas. As of 2023, he plays for Panathinaikos in Greece.

Enes Kanter (No. 3 by Jazz) – He was last waived by the Rockets in 2022, which he believes is because he spoke out about the human rights violations in China (NBA commissioner Adam Silver denies that claim). Kanter was more recently placed on Turkey’s 2023 terrorist watch list (after he spoke out about the human rights abuses in Turkey). He is currently a free man and continues to speak out about dictatorships and human rights today. 

Tristan Thompson (No. 4 by Cavaliers) – After being unsigned for most of 2022-23, the center signed a one-year, $16,700 contract with the Lakers and played a handful of minutes during the team’s run to the Western Conference Finals. He hopes to return to the team for the 2023-24 season. 

Jonas Valančiūnas (No. 5 by Raptors) – The Pelicans center averaged 14.1 points and 10.2 rebounds for the 2022-23 season. He’s expected to make a base salary of about $15 million in 2023-24. 

Jan Veselý (No. 6 by Wizards) – He was out of the league after three seasons (averaged 3.6 points and 3.5 rebounds over 162 career games). As of 2023, he plays for FC Barcelona in Spain. 

Bismack Biyombo (No. 7 by Kings) – In signing a one-year, $2,905,851 contract with the Suns, the center averaged 4.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks for the 2022-23 season. The current free agent might be a target for the LA Lakers. 

Brandon Knight (No. 8 by Pistons) – Injuries plagued the point guard’s career and he was out of the league by 2022 (averaged 14 points and 3.1 rebounds over 451 career games). As of 2023, he plays for Quebradillas in Puerto Rico. 

Kemba Walker (No. 9 by Charlotte) – The point guard was last waived by the Mavericks in January 2023 – after averaging eight points and 1.8 rebounds. The four-time NBA All-Star wants to continue his NBA journey, but the G League or an overseas team might look more practical. 

Jimmer Fredette (No. 10 by Bucks) – The shooting guard was out of the league after averaging 3.7 points in six games during his comeback season with the Suns (2018-19). Since then, he’s played overseas, in the TBT and on USA Basketball’s 3×3 team. It appears that his basketball journey is over, and today, he runs a charity that helps families in need (Fredette Family Foundation).