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Tuesday's trade for Boris Diaw shook up the Utah Jazz's summer league lineup and, for Utah State product Spencer Butterfield, it could hardly have come at a better time.
With guard Olivier Hanlan on the move to San Antonio, Butterfield got the start Tuesday against the Boston Celtics after watching the Jazz's opener from the sideline. And when the former Aggie knocked down his first shot, he heard from his cheering section at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
"We're having a family reunion this week," Butterfield said with a grin after the Jazz's 89-82 defeat. "I had about 30 people up in the stands from my family alone. I definitely heard them."
Butterfield finished the game with eight points and three rebounds in 23 minutes of action.
The 6-foot-3 Butterfield averaged better than 12 points per game and shot 44.5 percent from 3-point territory in his two seasons in Logan.
"Obviously, Spencer can shoot the basketball," Jazz assistant coach Johnnie Bryant said. "… It's really a weapon for us."
The 23-year-old spent last season playing for Juventus in Lithuania, helping earn a summer league invitation from the Jazz.
"I think it's experience," he said regarding his game's growth over the past year. "The more professional years you have under your belt, the more confidence you gain, the more you learn just how to play the game. I think my knowledge of the game has grown quite a bit, just knowing how to find my spots and be effective."
Lyles' lead
Second-year forward Trey Lyles led all scorers in Tuesday's game with 26 points, finishing nine of 10 from the free throw line.
"Last night, I felt he settled a little bit," Bryant said. "… But he did a great job of continuing to put pressure on the defense, continuing to put pressure on the referees."
Planning to play
After leaving his NBA debut on Monday with cramps in both legs, No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons sat on the sidelines Tuesday for the 76ers' second contest of the summer.
Simmons, who had 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists in the opener, is expected to play in Thursday's finale of the Jazz summer league, Philadelphia coach Billy Lange said.
Dynamic duo
Kyle Anderson and Jonathon Simmons played 78 and 55 games, respectively, last season for the Spurs. That experience and talent showed Tuesday as the duo combined for 58 of the Spurs' 95 points in a win over the summer Sixers.
"It definitely helps a lot, he's my guy," Simmons said of his relationship with Anderson. "We're very cool on and off the court. We just try to make each other better and stay positive by staying in each other's ear to stay better."
Spurs rookie Bryn Forbes added 23 points on 8-of-10 shooting.
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