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Caron Butler News & Rumors

For Caron Butler, playing for the Clippers is no hard time
February 7
Los Angeles Times
 
"Day 1 of getting to better know the Clippers and I'm telling Caron Butler he better not stink against the Magic because I will be writing about him. It's really a stupid statement and Butler is kind enough to not say so as he heads off to the morning shootaround. Come on, what am I going to do to the guy? He's already been in Juvenile Court 15 times on drug and weapons charges by the time he's 15. He served nearly a year in prison, and one by one he pays for the burial of the four friends who he used to hang with in the neighborhood park."
Caron Butler feels right at home with Clippers in rout of Wizards
February 5
Washington Post
 
"Caron Butler was making his way through the hallways at Verizon Center late Saturday when a Wizards front office official greeted him in front of the visiting locker room and gave him a hug. It was that kind of night for Butler, the former Wizards cornerstone player who was back in town as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. It was Butler's first game back in the District since being traded along with Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson to Dallas in 2009-10 when the Wizards began their rebuild. Butler was hurt last season during the Mavericks' run to the NBA title, but these days, he's a starter for the Clippers, who have designs on winning it all this season. "I mean, it felt weird"
Caron Butler sidelined with knee injury
January 21
Los Angeles Times
 
"The injuries just keep mounting for the Clippers. This time it took down Caron Butler, who sat out Friday night's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a hyperextended right knee and will be listed as day to day. Butler joins injured All-Star guard Chris Paul, who missed his fourth straight game with a strained left hamstring. Clippers Coach Vinny Del Negro said Butler got an MRI exam on the knee Thursday that was negative. Del Negro said Butler injured the knee during the game against Utah on Tuesday night, but played Wednesday night against the Dallas Mavericks, his former team. The coach said "you could tell" Butler's knee was bothering him against Dallas. "He said he feels a"
Caron Butler says Heat reunion was close
January 16
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Caron Butler was on the way back. Perhaps not to stay, but his ticket to South Florida was booked. The early-December meeting, reunion if you will, was set with Pat Riley. And then the Los Angeles Clippers said take-it-or-leave-it, not for as much as the New Jersey Nets bid in free agency, but for more than the San Antonio Spurs offered. Butler felt he couldn't wait, even if it meant putting a friend on hold."
Butler loving L.A.
January 16
New York Post
 
"Caron Butler left a meeting with Nets general manager Billy King last month thinking New Jersey would be a great place to land as a free agent. As Butler put it, within 20 seconds, "if that," he was looking West. "Signing with New Jersey would be nice," Butler claimed was his thought as he exited his meeting with the Nets. "I seriously considered going there." Then he got the call from Clippers VP of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey. His new thought? "L.A. would be nice, too." And that was where Butler eventually signed — before the Clippers had Chris Paul or Chauncey Billups or had re-upped DeAndre Jordan. Butler took a three-year, $24 million deal because, as attractive as the Nets"
Clippers' Ryan Gomes doesn't mind backing up Caron Butler
December 23
Los Angeles Times
 
"With the Clippers these days, the roles are forever changing. For Ryan Gomes, his role has changed from last season, something he knew would happen when the Clippers told him they were looking to upgrade at his small forward position. He was the starter last season, but now he is a reserve behind Caron Butler, whom the Clippers signed in free agency to a three-year, $24-million contract. "My thoughts were that we got a guy who played in the playoffs a lot," Gomes said about Butler after practice Thursday. "He brings some veteran leadership to this team. When he was playing with Dallas last year, they won a lot of games when he was in that starting lineup.""
Caron Butler takes three-year, $24-million deal with Clippers
December 9
Los Angeles Times
 
"Caron Butler wanted to be a Clipper and the Clippers wanted the free-agent forward to be a part of what they are trying to build. For Butler and the Clippers, it all worked out when the sides agreed Thursday to a three-year, $24-million deal. Butler can't sign the contract until Friday, the first day the NBA will allow teams to sign free agents and the day training camp opens. Butler's agent, Raymond Brothers, said his client plans on being at the Clippers' training camp Friday afternoon in Playa Vista. "He's a Clipper now," Brothers said in a phone interview. "I think he's a great fit for the Clippers, on and off the court. He's is excited about the opportunity. I think the fans will love"
Caron Butler goes to Clippers
December 8
ESPN.com
 
"Former Dallas Mavericks forward Caron Butler agreed to a three-year, $24 million contract with Los Angeles Clippers Thursday, according to his agent Raymond Brothers. Butler had also considered San Antonio, New Jersey and Chicago, but ultimately the opportunity to team with Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon in Los Angeles proved too enticing. "He's very excited to be with Blake," Brothers said. "And very excited to be with a young upcoming team he believes he can help win a championship.""
Free-agent buzz: Bulls lead Butler suitors
December 8
Yahoo! Sports
 
"As Caron Butler(notes) completes his personal tour of NBA suitors, the Chicago Bulls remain the team to beat for him, league sources said. Butler left his meeting with the Bulls earlier this week with a deep appreciation for coach Tom Thibodeau, sources said. Butler's willingness to possibly take less money from a championship contender is made easier with his personal business holdings. Butler, 31, has also met with the Los Angeles Clippers, San Antonio Spurs and New Jersey Nets this week. The Clippers and Nets have room underneath the salary cap to offer Butler more than the $5 million midlevel exception."
Butler liked what he saw in San Antonio
December 8
San Antonio Express-News
 
"Free-agent forward Caron Butler told the San Antonio Express-News Wednesday that he considers the Spurs his personal "frontrunners" for his services. Butler met with Spurs officials Wednesday in San Antonio. And later, Butler told the Express-News that he was pleased with how the meeting turned out. "The meeting went great, I enjoyed it," he said."
Report: Free agent forward Caron Butler met with Nets on Wednesday
December 8
Dallas Morning News
 
"First it was the Chicago Bulls , then the L.A. Clippers, then the San Antonio Spurs. Now, add the New Jersey Nets to the list of teams Caron Butler has met with this offseason. According to a report by the New York Daily News , Butler met with Nets officials on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of teaming up with The Colony's Deron Williams in New Jersey. Though the Nets finished 24-58 last season, tied for the fifth-worst record in the NBA, the team is under the salary cap, meaning it could offer Butler more than Chicago or San Antonio. Because both the Bulls and Spurs are over the cap, the most they can offer Butler is the $5 million per year mid-level exception."
Caron Butler visits Spurs
December 7
ESPN.com
 
"Dallas Mavericks free agent Caron Butler enjoyed his Wednesday morning visit with the archrival San Antonio Spurs so much that he felt compelled to tweet about it. "Just met with Spurs great visit first class all the way ..." Butler said in his tweet. Yahoo! Sports reported that the Spurs will use the one-time amnesty clause written into the new collective bargaining agreement to jettison small forward Richard Jefferson, who is due to earn $9.2 million this season and $30 million over the next three."
Clippers get holiday start; Caron Butler, Chris Paul talk in mix
December 7
Los Angeles Times
 
"As the Clippers learned their 66-game schedule Tuesday, free agent Caron Butler visited for the second straight day and rumors intensified the team is one of several trying to acquire New Orleans point guard Chris Paul. With Blake Griffin becoming must-see TV, the Clippers are one of 10 teams opening the regular season on Christmas, according to the schedule announced by the NBA. They play at the Golden State Warriors on Christmas night in a nationally televised game on ESPN, which will be one of 22 times the Clippers will be on national television."
Report: Caron Butler meets with Clippers for second consecutive day
December 7
Dallas Morning News
 
"With the Mavericks seemingly focused on finding a way to keep Tyson Chandler and J.J. Barea in town, it's looking less and less likely that Caron Butler will make a return to Dallas. Now the question becomes: Where will he go? According to Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles, Butler spent time meeting with members of the LA Clippers' front office for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, visiting the Clippers' training facility and talking with general manager Neil Olshey But Olshey wasn't alone in his sales pitch. Current Clippers guard Mo Williams did his best to swoon Butler, too."
Caron Butler, Clippers to meet again
December 6
ESPN.com
 
"Free agent small forward Caron Butler's meeting with the the Los Angeles Clippers went so well Monday night, the two sides decided to talk again on Tuesday morning, according to Butler's agent. "Caron was really happy with the meeting," Butler's agent Raymond Brothers said. "We were really impressed by (general manager) Neil Olshey and (coach) Vinny Del Negro. I think they've got a good young team that can win. Caron had a really good feeling about it." Brothers said that Butler met with the Chicago Bulls Monday morning and still plans to travel to San Antonio to meet with the Spurs Tuesday afternoon. ESPNDallas.com's Jeff Caplan reported Sunday night that he is also expected to meet with"
Mavericks need to stick to their guns with one-year offers
December 6
Dallas Morning News
 columnist Eddie Sefko
"Caron Butler and Tyson Chandler began job interviews on Monday and as difficult as it is to swallow, Mavericks fans have to face the painful reality that both players could -- and probably will -- be playing elsewhere this season. The Mavericks, from what we're hearing, are sticking to their guns in terms of offering only one-year contracts to free agents, either their own or those from other teams. If the Mavericks are confident that they are major players in the 2012 free-agent derby, this is the right decision. The only possible exception might be Chandler, who appears to be high on New Jersey's wish list, although not as high as Nene, the bulkier center from Denver. Chandler expects to"
Bulls meet with free agent Butler
December 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"Though he has played small forward, the Bulls talked to Caron Butler about guarding shooting guards during their Monday morning meeting at the Berto Center with the veteran free agent, sources said. Butler, whom the Tribune reported last week wants to play for the Bulls, visited with the Clippers on Monday night. He is scheduled to meet with the Spurs on Tuesday and the Nets and possibly Pistons later this week. "That went great," Butler tweeted about his Bulls' visit before entering a limousine for the airport."
Source: Caron Butler has 4 meetings set
December 5
ESPN.com
 
"Caron Butler begins a busy week Monday with at least four visits lined up to teams interested in signing the Dallas Mavericks' free-agent forward. Butler will visit with team officials from the Chicago Bulls on Monday morning, followed by trips to sit down with officials from the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night, the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday and possibly the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, a source close to the situation confirmed Sunday night. The source said that those teams understand that Butler, 31, is not interested in a one-year contract, the length favored by the Mavs to bring back the nine-year veteran."
Clippers to meet with Caron Butler
December 5
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Clippers and free-agent forward Caron Butler will have a face-to-face meeting Monday at the team's Playa Vista training facility. "Yes, Caron is going to come and visit with the Clippers tomorrow," Butler's agent, Raymond Brothers, said in a phone interview Sunday night. Butler, who played for the Dallas Mavericks last season, is the sort of small forward the Clippers hope can fill that void for them. He averaged 15 points per game last season. But Butler played in just 29 games after having surgery last January to repair a ruptured right patellar tendon."
Bulls in contention for Butler
December 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Bulls have cast such a wide net in the early stages of free agency that it's too early to determine which player is their top priority. This is for certain: One of their targets, Caron Butler, has strong interest in the Bulls. In fact, Butler, who is from Racine, Wis., has been working out in Chicago after fully rehabilitating his surgically repaired right knee. And a source close to Butler said he has said, "I hope I don't have to leave.""
NBA free-agent buzz: Butler eyes Clips, Bulls
December 1
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Caron Butler, one of the most pursued small forwards in this year's free-agent class, privately considers the Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls as his two most preferred destinations, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Butler is most attracted to the Bulls because of the chance to play with Derrick Rose(notes) and compete for a title, but he would have to take significantly less money to play in Chicago. The Bulls have a stronger need for a shooting guard and could ultimately spend their money there. Ultimately, that leaves the Clippers with an edge over the New Jersey Nets among the suitors with the most significant cap space and a need for a starting small forward. "He sees the"
Caron Butler drawing early interest on free agent market
December 1
Dallas Morning News
 
"If Mark Cuban and the Mavericks were thinking they could re-sign Caron Butler on the cheap after his injury-riddled 2010-11 season, they might want to think again. According to a tweet by CBSSports.com's Ken Berger , the Nets , Clippers Bulls, Heat, Spurs and Knicks have all expressed interest in Butler in the early stages of free agency, meaning the Mavs will have plenty of competition for the veteran wingman's services should they want to retain him."
Caron Butler considering a return to Miami
October 10
Foxsports.com
 
"It took some prodding. But count forward Caron Butler as a candidate to return to the Miami Heat. Butler, a two-time All-Star working his way back from a season-ending knee injury suffered in January, will be an unrestricted free agent whenever the NBA lockout ends. It wouldn't be a surprise if Miami, where Butler broke into the NBA and played from 2002-04, took a look at him. "It'd be interesting," Butler said in an interview with FOX Sports Florida about the prospect of returning to the Heat. Asked whether Miami is on his list, Butler eventually said, "Yes." But he didn't want to talk too much about the Heat, which is understandable."
Agent: Butler 'good to go'; Mavs want long-term deal with forward
July 28
Dallas Morning News
 
"Caron Butler's right knee has been diagnosed as good to go, agent Raymond Brothers confirmed Wednesday. Where he will be playing when the NBA returns from its lockout remains to be seen. Brothers said Butler, a free agent, was cleared to play by the Mavericks' medical staff several days ago. Butler ruptured his patellar tendon in a New Year's Day loss at Milwaukee. He missed the rest of the Mavericks' championship season. "He would have been able to play in Game 7 against the Miami Heat," Brothers said. "But now we have the official clearance." Game 7 of the NBA Finals wasn't necessary as the Mavericks wrapped up the league title in six games."
Pistons' Ben Gordon will keep getting paid during lockout
July 24
Detroit News
 
"Pistons guard Ben Gordon is one of four players who will continue to get paid if the NBA lockout stretches into the upcoming season. All are clients of agent Raymond Brothers , who spread their 2010-11 NBA salaries over 18 or 24 months in case the lockout forces the cancellation of games. The others are Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (Michigan State), Mavericks forward Caron Butler and Clippers forward Al-Farouq Aminu."
Butler provides the inspiration for Mavericks
June 21
Racine Journal-Times
 columnist Gery Woelfel
"James Caron Butler simply couldn't control his emotions anymore. Emotions that had been building up for years, maybe even decades, were about to explode within him like an erupting volcano. After toiling in the NBA for nine years and never seriously coming close to winning a title, the Racine native was on the brink of one. "At the three-minute mark of the fourth quarter, I just started to cry," Butler said, referring to the Dallas Mavericks' victory over the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals last Sunday in Miami. "We were up by 12 points and I knew we were going to be the world champions. "It was an unbelievable feeling." Butler didn't stop crying there, either. More than 20 minutes"
Carlisle: Peja saved our season; Caron Butler was 'a whisker away' from playing in Finals
June 15
Dallas Morning News
 
"Mark Cuban used his Twitter account to announce the signing of Peja Stojakovic in late January. The Mavericks owner wrote: "Peja is now a Mav! Time to let him drop some of those 3s on the bad guys." The message came days after the Toronto Raptors bought out Stojakovic's $15 million expiring contract. The 34-year-old was allowed to sign with any team and he chose the Mavs. It obviously turned out to be the right decision. Even though Stojakovic scored only two points in the Finals series against the Miami Heat, he was a tremendous contributor in the three previous rounds of the playoffs. Stojakovic averaged 9.5 points per game in the first round, 12.5 in the series sweep of the Los Angeles"
Caron Butler, trying to play in NBA Finals: 'I believe in miracles'
June 9
Washington Post
 columnist Michael Lee
"Caron Butler got an important lesson in patience immediately after the Dallas Mavericks eliminated the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals. The short break before the NBA Finals gave him a chance to return to Washington so he could be with his 65-year-old grandmother, Margaret Butler, as she underwent a kidney transplant. His grandmother had to wait nearly three years to find the right match and when the kidney took, Butler said he received yet another reminder that faith and dedication eventually are rewarded. It was a timely reminder for Butler, who is trying, perhaps in vain, to return after suffering a ruptured right patella tendon in Milwaukee in January. "That put"
Hold your breath for Haywood, but not Caron Butler
June 7
Dallas Morning News
 
"The Mavericks won't know about Brendan Haywood's availability for Game 4 until Tuesday. He was scheduled to go for a second MRI on Monday afternoon and will find out more about his right hip flexor strain. "It feels a lot better than yesterday, but I don't want to commit to anything,'' Haywood said after the Mavericks' practice. "I was able to move at a little better clip, so we'll see how it feels. I've done some jogging, but not any full-out sprints.'' Haywood had an MRI on Friday and is hoping that the second exam will show improvement to the injury he suffered in the second half of Game 2. He missed Sunday's Game 3 and is questionable for Game 4. Haywood said the biggest problems he"
Mavs free agents in Donnie Nelson's plan
June 5
ESPN.com
 
"Just because the Dallas Mavericks are focused on the NBA Finals doesn't mean planning for next season and beyond isn't underway. Six players on the current roster will be free agents after the season, including starters Tyson Chandler and DeShawn Stevenson and key reserve J.J. Barea. "We've been through this before," general manager Donnie Nelson said. "You just plan. You know it's part of the deal when it comes. You just deal with it." Indications from sources are the Mavericks want to at least bring back Chandler, Barea and injured forward Caron Butler. Brian Cardinal and Peja Stojakovic are the other two free agents."
Caron Butler not cleared but still optimistic
May 31
ESPN.com
 
"Caron Butler not only hopes that he can play in the NBA Finals, but he's confident he could pick up where he left off before rupturing his right patellar tendon on New Year's Day. "I'd be myself," Butler said. "I'd be myself out there – a guy that can create, do some things on the low post, obviously just make other guys better." Unfortunately, the Mavs' medical staff doesn't share Butler's optimism."
Udonis Haslem winning race to Finals against Caron Butler
May 24
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"During their lone season as Miami Heat teammates, Udonis Haslem and Caron Butler personified the type of hustle that would define the rebirth of the franchise from a pair of lean seasons. This season, the two spent the majority of their time trying to fight their way back from debilitating injuries, Haslem from foot surgery the third week of the season, Butler from a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee on Jan. 1. With his Dallas Mavericks closing in on a berth in the NBA Finals, Butler has yet to make it back. But when Haslem made his breakthrough against the Chicago Bulls in these best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals that the Heat now lead 2-1, Butler was among the first to text"
Carlisle: Mavs inspired by Caron Butler; no timetable on return
May 11
Dallas Morning News
 
"Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle spent some time with the media on Tuesday. When he was asked about injured guard Caron Butler and guard Roddy Beaubois, he shared what Butler has meant to his playoff team. "I believe both guys have had an impact. Caron, simply being here every day and doing what he's doing is an incredible source of inspiration for all of us. I can't even begin to explain to you his positive attitude, the work he's putting in. He's in two, three times a day. "He's now at a point where he's dunking the ball and he's making more and more progress. When he's back, he's going to be back 100 percent. Timetable-wise, I don't know exactly when that's going to be."
Caron Butler impresses in rehab
May 11
ESPN.com
 
"Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle may have opened the door for Caron Butler to return in time for the Western Conference finals, just three days after team president Donnie Nelson called that idea "next to impossible." "He's now at a point where he's dunking the ball and he's making more and more progress," Carlisle said Tuesday. "When he's back, he's going to be back 100 percent. Timetable-wise, I don't know exactly when that's going to be. I'll tell you what, it's [Butler's aggressive rehab] something that's energized our team, really since he took his knee cap and shoved it four inches back into place on Jan. 1 in Milwaukee.""
Caron Butler unlikely for playoffs return
May 8
ESPN.com
 
"The next time Caron Butler plays in a game will likely be during the 2011-12 season. Dallas Mavericks president Donnie Nelson all but ruled out a return at any point during the playoffs for the rehabilitating small forward. "I think everyone, including Caron himself," Nelson said, "understands that that would be next to impossible." Butler suffered a ruptured right patellar tendon Jan. 1, an injury that had to be surgically repaired. The Mavericks originally announced that Butler's season was over, but Butler set a goal of returning during the playoffs and he continues to aggressively rehab."
Injured Mavericks guard Caron Butler ruled out for Lakers series
April 30
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle told a local radio show Friday that forward Caron Butler has a "zero" chance of playing in the Western Conference semifinal series against the Los Angeles Lakers. "He's not going to play in this series," Carlisle told Galloway and Company on ESPN/103.3 FM. Butler ruptured his right patellar tendon in January and has yet to be cleared by a doctor to return. Mavs tickets on sale today: Tickets for Dallas' first two home games of the second-round playoff series against the Lakers will go on sale at 10 a.m. today. Tickets are $19 and up for the semifinal series. They are available online at mavs.com, by calling 214-747-6287 or 1-800-462-2849, at the AAC"
Caron Butler eyes return vs. L.A.
April 29
ESPN.com
 
"There is a chance small forward Caron Butler could play in the Dallas Mavericks' second-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Butler suffered a ruptured right patellar tendon Jan. 1, an injury that had to be surgically repaired. The Mavericks originally announced that Butler's season was over, but he set a goal of returning during the playoffs, and aggressively rehabbed. While leaving the Rose Garden after the Mavericks' series-clinching win over the Portland Trail Blazers, Butler said he could be cleared to practice with contact after being evaluated in a workout when the team returns to Dallas. He expressed optimism that he would be able to play at some point during the Western"
Caron Butler could be back on court soon for Mavericks
April 24
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Caron Butler has not been cleared for contact, but he appears to have a shot to contribute to the Dallas Mavericks if they reach the second round. The next step will be getting cleared for contact work, which could happen in the next week or two. Butler has maintained that he would be ready to help the Mavericks by the second round of the playoffs. It's looking as if he might make good on that pledge. The small forward suffered a torn patella tendon in his right knee at Milwaukee on Jan. 1."
Caron Butler 'unlikely' for first round
April 7
ESPN.com
 
"Caron Butler, who ruptured the patellar tendon in his right knee a little more than three months ago, is "extremely unlikely" to play for the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the NBA playoffs, coach Rick Carlisle said Wednesday. Butler, who was averaging 15.0 points and 4.1 rebounds before he got hurt vs. Milwaukee on Jan. 1 and had surgery, will continue his aggressive rehabilitation work in an effort to be able to contribute during the postseason. The Mavs continue to be cautious about that possibility."
Caron Butler wants to defy doctors and return for the playoffs
February 16
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Team doctors insist that Caron Butler won't be ready to play full contact basketball again until training camp opens in the fall. But the stubborn Butler believes he'll be ready by the time the Dallas Mavericks start playing playoff games in April. Never mind that he had surgery Jan. 4 to repair a ruptured right patellar tendon. Butler claims to be a quick healer and has his mind set on being back in uniform in late April. "Today is the first day running in the pool and I felt great,'' Butler said while riding the stationary bicycle after Tuesday's practice. "This is what they call phase two, and I'm getting to phase six. "I'm able to ride the bike, first day running [in the pool], eight"
Mavericks' Caron Butler targets playoff return
January 19
Dallas Morning News
 
"Caron Butler said he believes the Mavericks still have something special going on here, despite the current six-game losing streak. And he's holding out hope that he might still be part of the ride come playoff time. Butler, who ruptured a right knee tendon Jan. 2 and needed surgery, was a visitor to practice Tuesday. He was there to offer support to his teammates, who clearly are struggling after six consecutive losses. Butler spoke to media members for the first time since his injury and said that if the Mavericks could make a deep playoff run, he's not ruling out playing again this season. "They say four months, four to five months," Butler said. "That's what I keep yelling. Give me"
Caron Butler still could return by playoffs for Mavericks
January 19
Dallas Morning News
 
"Caron Butler was a surprise visitor to Mavericks' practice today. And if his teammates can get this season back on track, the injured small forward has not given up on returning if the team makes a deep run in the playoffs. "They say four months, four to five months," Butler said. "That's what I keep yelling. Give me four months and I'm good. I've had this before when I was 15. I know exactly what to do. I've been through the whole thing before. In four months, I know what muscles to keep (working on). I just need some time." Butler ruptured his right patellar tendon at Milwaukee on Jan. 2. He had surgery a few days later and is hobbling around on crutches, along with getting ice"
How Mavericks can carry on and prosper without Caron Butler
January 5
Dallas Morning News
 columnist Eddie Sefko
"Caron Butler is gone. He's not going to help this so-far grand season any more, at least not beyond moral support from the bench. The ruptured patella tendon in his right knee was surgically repaired Tuesday, and Butler is out for the season. So now what? How do the Mavericks replace 15 points per game and Butler's grit that was every bit as important as his offensive production? "It's a blow," team president Donnie Nelson said. "Those are some big shoes to fill." It's going to be a challenge for the Mavericks to plug the void. They were already having trouble scoring points, even with Butler, averaging 90 points in the last four games. The attitude of Butler's teammates, coaches and fans"
Caron Butler undergoes knee surgery, out for remainder of season
January 5
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"The loss of small forward Caron Butler for the remainder of this season Tuesday wasn't met well by the Dallas Mavericks' organization. Yet the Mavs tried to put a positive spin on what had to be some sobering news. "It's unfortunate, but we know how to deal with it,'' guard Jason Terry said. "He's a big scorer -- we've got to fill the void out there -- and he's one of our leaders, but I think we can get it done.'' Butler, who averaged 15 points and 4.1 rebounds, underwent season-ending surgery Tuesday to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his right knee. The injury occurred last Saturday in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said he texted Butler and the"
Source: Caron Butler has surgery
January 4
ESPN.com
 
"Caron Butler underwent surgery on his right knee Tuesday morning, according to a source, but the Dallas Mavericks will not comment on the severity of the injury until later in the day. Butler injured the knee early in Saturday's game at Milwaukee. On Sunday a source said that the initial diagnosis was that Butler had at least a partial tear of the patellar tendon, an injury that could keep the Mavs' starting small forward out for a couple of months. The franchise was holding its breath that it was not a full tear of the tendon which could end Butler's season. After Tuesday morning's shootaround in preparation for that night's home game against the Portland Trail Blazers -- in which Dallas"
Mavericks go into 'survival mode' as they wait for results of Butler's MRI
January 4
Dallas Morning News
 
"As Jason Terry said on the road trip through the frozen North, the Mavericks wish somebody would run over that black cat that keeps following them. They could use some good news from the injury front. But the way their luck's running, they aren't counting on it. The evaluation of Caron Butler's right knee began Monday, but the Mavericks were not releasing details of his injury and information about the starting small forward's prospects for returning this season may come today. The team is braced for bad news but hoping that Butler's season isn't over. The best glimmer of hope is that after missing four games with a sprained right knee that has bothered the back of the joint rather than"
Butler injury is disastrous blow to Mavericks title hopes
January 3
Dallas Morning News
 columnist Eddie Sefko
"Fate can have a crazy, cruel side. When in a nasty mood, it sends wicked twists. Caron Butler won't let karma break him, even though his knee buckled in front of his family, friends and a couple of hundred kids he bought tickets for at the Bradley Center on Saturday night. Don't weep for Butler. He wouldn't want it that way. Yes, he's gone, probably for a significant portion of the season, maybe all of it. And he becomes a free agent on July 1. The timing of this injury was horrible for the Mavericks and disastrous for Butler and his family. He was on his way to a nice season and would have been an in-demand free agent. Now? Who knows? But what Butler, his family and everybody else should"
Source: Caron Butler likely has tendon injury; season in jeopardy?
January 3
Dallas Morning News
 
"Caron Butler did not get back to Dallas in time Sunday to get his injured right knee examined. Early indications, however, are that the Mavericks small forward has at least a partial tear of the patella tendon in his right knee, a source close to Butler said. The full extent of the injury suffered Saturday night at Milwaukee will not be known until he has an MRI exam. Such an injury could jeopardize a major portion of the season for Butler, and perhaps all of it. That would be a horrific blow to the Mavericks' high hopes for this season and a torturous break for a player who will be a free agent after this season. Butler was averaging 15 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 45 percent."
Caron Butler hurt as Dallas Mavericks drop third straight
January 2
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"The injury situation is getting bleak, but the scene on the floor at The Bradley Center on Saturday night was far, far worse. When Caron Butler went down -- clutching his right knee before he even landed -- the situation did not look good. And then it got worse -- far worse than the 99-87 loss the Dallas Mavericks absorbed from the Milwaukee Bucks, their third consecutive setback. "To watch a teammate go down on the floor and pound the floor like he was, it's just terrible," said Dirk Nowitzki, himself fighting a sprained knee. "We're all just pulling for him now." That might not be enough. Coach Rick Carlisle termed Butler's injury "potentially serious." Butler stayed in Milwaukee with"