STURTEVANT, Wis. (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks chose to recover from the end of their 18-game winning streak at a medium-security Wisconsin state prison.Two days before an anticipated showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night, the team was scheduled for a “player individual day” on Tuesday — usually used for individuals to get extra training or medical treatment. Instead, the players opted to hear stories from inmates at the Racine Correctional Institution. “I wasn't seeing guys that made mistakes,” Antetokounmpo said. “I was just seeing humans, humans that were laughing, that were trying hard, humans that shared their stories. That really touched me and I realized sometimes we take things for granted. That's not going to happen again.”Antetokounmpo, his older brother, Thanasis, and other Milwaukee teammates Sterling Brown, Kyle Korver, George Hill, Pat Connaughton and D.J. Wilson traveled about 30 miles south of Milwaukee to the prison to take part in... [More]

STURTEVANT, Wis. (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks chose to recover from the end of their 18-game winning streak at a medium-security Wisconsin state prison.Two days before an anticipated showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers, the team was scheduled for a “player individual day” Tuesday — usually used for individuals to get extra training or medical treatment. Instead, the players opted to hear stories from inmates at the Racine Correctional Institution. “I wasn't seeing guys that made mistakes,” Antetokounmpo said. “I was just seeing humans, humans that were laughing, that were trying hard, humans that shared their stories. That really touched me and I realized sometimes we take things for granted. That's not going to happen again.”Antetokounmpo, his older brother, Thanasis, and other Milwaukee teammates Sterling Brown, Kyle Korver, George Hill, Pat Connaughton and D.J. Wilson traveled about 30 miles south of Milwaukee to the prison to take part in the “Play for Justice”... [More]

G Jimmy Butler led Chicago with 24 points Tuesday in a loss to the Mavericks.

G Jimmy Butler scored 26 points with seven rebounds and six assists for the Bulls, who lost at Utah in overtime Monday.

F Caron Butler (left ankle) was inactive for the second straight contest and has now missed Sacramento's past four. Butler has 11 points and 10 rebounds in 72 minutes seven contests.

Butler agreed to terms with the Kings on a two-year deal Friday, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports.

Butler spent last season with the Pistons, appearing in 78 games and averaging 5.9 points to go with 2.5 rebounds in just under 21 minutes per game. He was dealt to Milwaukee in a salary dump last month but was almost immediately waived, making him a free agent. The veteran will join a Kings roster that features several new additions, though it's unclear whether the franchise will be able to elevate itself out of the Western Conference basement.

Butler was waived by the Bucks on Tuesday, Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders reports.

The Bucks acquired Butler from the Pistons in the Ersan Ilyasova trade, and their intent all along was to waive the veteran in order to clear cap space. Butler, 35, appeared in 78 games for Detroit last season, but he's well past his prime and likely won't be much of a fantasy option wherever he ends up.

Butler and Shawne Williams were acquired by the Bucks in exchange for Ersan Ilyasova on Thursday, Yahoo! Sports reports.

Playing a full season for the first time since 2012-13 last season, Butler averaged 5.9 points (on 41 percent shooting), 2.5 rebounds, 1.1 three-pointers, and 1.0 assist in 21 minutes across 78 contests. However, he's unlikely to suit up for the Bucks in the coming campaign due to a $4.5 million team option now held by the organization.

Butler appeared in 78 games for the Pistons in 2014-15, making 21 starts and averaging 5.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 20.8 minutes.

After spending last season with the Bucks and Thunder, Butler signed a two-year deal with the Pistons in July. The 35-year-old primarily served as a veteran presence off the bench, rarely being asked to carry much of the scoring burden. His scoring average was the lowest of his career, and he topped 20 points only once, scoring 24 in the second game of the season in a loss to Minnesota. Butler will presumably return to Detroit to play out the final year of his contract next season, and he'll likely remain in a similar reserve role.

Butler scored 19 points (6-10 FG, 6-9 3Pt, 1-2 FT) in 27 minutes in the loss to Cleveland on Monday.

Butler had not scored in double digits in his last 10 games, which included three scoreless performances. In his dotage, he has been able to hit 3-pointers at times, but 35-year-old "Tough Juice" has hit 36.9 percent of his 3-pointers.

Butler moved into the starting lineup during Wednesday's loss to the Warriors, but finished with just four points (1-3 FG, 2-2 FT), one rebound and one assist in 20 minutes.

Butler was in the starting lineup for just the third time this season, so we'll give him a pass for such a disappointing performance. Whether he continues to stick in the starting lineup or not, he'll likely remain limited in his fantasy value. He played very well in his first two starts this year, so that still gives us hope, but he'll need to develop some consistency in order to improve his value any further.

Butler will start Wednesday's game in Golden State.

Butler's appearance in the starting five will push Tayshaun Prince to the bench. In two previous nods this season, Butler averaged 13.5 points (on 54 percent shooting), 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and 1.5 treys in 27 minutes.

Butler (back) started Friday following a two-game absence. He scored 20 points (6-10 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 6-6 FT) and added four rebounds, three assists, and four steals in 32 minutes against the Bulls.

Butler played well in big minutes for a trade-depleted Pistons squad. The Pistons traded away Kyle Singler and DJ Augustin, who saw a combined 48 minutes per game, and their replacements did not arrive in time for Friday's game. Once new arrivals Reggie Jackson and Tayshaun Prince are incorporated into the rotation, Butler's minutes are likely to return to near their pre-All-Star break level.

Butler (back) will start Friday's game against the Bulls, MLive.com's David Mayo reports.

With Kyle Singler and D.J. Augustin shipped out of town, Butler and Spencer Dinwiddie will join the starting lineup. Reinforcements are on the way from Oklahoma City and Boston, so Butler may not stick in the starting lineup beyond Friday.

Butler (back) will not play Wednesday against the Spurs, Dave Pemberton of the Oakland Press reports.

Butler will miss a second straight game due to back spasms, which began following Sunday's game against the Timberwolves. He'll use the All-Star break to rest and will presumably be good to go when the Pistons resume play Feb. 20 versus Chicago.

Butler (back) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game, the Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell reports.

While Butler has been playing almost 20 minutes per game of late, his production has been lacking across the board. Look for Jodie Meeks, Kyle Singler and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to all see a minor bump in minutes Tuesday.

Butler (back) is listed as doubtful for Tuesday's matchup with the Hornets, David Mayo of MLive Media reports.

Butler is battling with back spasms, which flared up following Sunday's loss to the Timberwolves. His status could change throughout the day, but at this point it appears unlikely he takes the floor. Butler's production has hit a lull of late, as he's scored in double-figures just twice since mid-December.

Butler (hamstring) came off the bench for 20 minutes against the Pelicans on Wednesday as he recorded five points, two rebounds, and one assist.

Butler was dealing with a tight hamstring ahead of Wednesday's game but it apparently didn't hold him back as he played his normal role off the bench against the Pelicans. Looking ahead, the hamstring issue seems to be behind the 34-year-old as he'll continue to be a humdrum option in everything but the deepest of leagues.

Butler is not expected to be limited Wednesday against the Pelicans.

A tight hamstring kept Butler out of the second half of Monday's win over Toronto, but coach Stan Van Gundy said the veteran should be good to go Wednesday. Butler is averaging 4.4 points and 1.7 rebounds in 16.7 minutes per game this month.

Butler scored 20 points (5-11 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 7-7 FT) to go along with six rebounds and one assist in 27 minutes Monday against the Magic.

Butler played very well Monday, but this game is clearly more of an aberration than the norm as he entered Monday with 18 points combined over his previous four games. Don't expect Butler to be a major offensive force this season.