Jimmy Butler vs. Nick Van Exel Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Nick Van Exel and Jimmy Butler, from their rookie seasons to their last year played, in chronological order with awards, stats, championships and playoff performance of their teams every year.

Player comparisons:
Career comparison / Season by season

Who had the better rookie season? Who had best stats in their 10th season? Who won a championship first? These questions and many others, are answered here.

Jimmy Butler and Nick Van Exel both played 13 years in the NBA. Jimmy Butler had the first of his seasons in 2011-12, while Nick Van Exel had his rookie season in 1993-94. With that starting point, here you can take a look at each of their seasons side by side and compare how their careers evolved in achivements, awards and championships won, the stats they recorded both in the Regular Season and the Playoffs and how their teams performed in the postseason.

Their Careers

Player
Total Seasons Playoffs Played NBA Years
Jimmy Butler 13 11 2011-12 to 2023-24
Nick Van Exel 13 7 1993-94 to 2005-06

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13

Rookie Season

Jimmy Butler Nick Van Exel
Season 2011-121993-94
Team Chicago BullsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Rookie Second Team
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 42 8.5 2.6 0.5 0.8 1.3 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.8 1.9 .405 0.0 0.3 .182 1.0 1.3 .768
Nick Van Exel 81 33.3 13.6 0.6 2.4 2.9 5.8 1.0 0.1 1.8 1.9 5.1 13.0 .394 1.5 4.5 .338 1.9 2.4 .781
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 3 1.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 - 0.0 0.0 -
Nick Van Exel ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Jimmy Butler Nick Van Exel
Season 2012-131994-95
Team Chicago BullsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf SemisLakers Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 82 26.0 8.6 1.7 2.3 4.0 1.4 1.0 0.4 0.8 1.2 2.9 6.2 .467 0.5 1.3 .381 2.3 2.8 .803
Nick Van Exel 80 36.8 16.9 0.3 2.5 2.8 8.3 1.2 0.1 2.8 2.0 5.8 13.8 .420 2.3 6.4 .358 2.9 3.8 .783
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 12 40.8 13.3 0.8 4.4 5.2 2.7 1.3 0.5 1.3 2.2 4.2 9.6 .435 1.3 3.1 .405 3.8 4.6 .818
Nick Van Exel 10 46.4 20.0 0.9 2.9 3.8 7.3 2.1 0.3 2.2 3.3 6.7 16.2 .414 2.1 6.6 .318 4.5 5.9 .763

Season 3

Jimmy Butler Nick Van Exel
Season 2013-141995-96
Team Chicago BullsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf 1st RdLakers Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 67 38.7 13.1 1.3 3.6 4.9 2.6 1.9 0.5 1.5 1.6 4.1 10.3 .397 1.0 3.6 .283 3.9 5.0 .769
Nick Van Exel 74 34.0 14.9 0.4 2.1 2.4 6.9 0.9 0.1 2.1 1.6 5.4 12.8 .417 1.9 5.4 .357 2.2 2.8 .799
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 5 43.6 13.6 1.2 4.0 5.2 2.2 1.2 0.0 0.6 2.6 4.4 11.4 .386 1.2 4.0 .300 3.6 4.6 .783
Nick Van Exel 4 34.3 11.8 1.0 3.0 4.0 6.8 0.5 0.0 2.8 2.5 4.0 13.5 .296 1.3 4.0 .313 2.5 3.3 .769

Season 4

Jimmy Butler Nick Van Exel
Season 2014-151996-97
Team Chicago BullsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement Most Improved Player-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf SemisLakers Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 65 38.7 20.0 1.8 4.1 5.8 3.3 1.8 0.6 1.4 1.7 6.5 14.0 .462 1.1 3.0 .378 5.9 7.1 .834
Nick Van Exel 79 37.2 15.3 0.6 2.3 2.9 8.5 0.9 0.1 2.7 1.4 5.5 13.6 .402 2.2 5.9 .378 2.1 2.5 .825
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 12 42.2 22.9 1.5 4.1 5.6 3.2 2.4 0.8 1.8 2.3 7.8 17.8 .441 2.3 6.0 .389 4.9 6.0 .819
Nick Van Exel 9 39.2 14.4 0.7 2.8 3.4 6.4 1.1 0.0 2.0 2.1 5.0 13.2 .378 1.3 4.9 .273 3.1 3.8 .824

Season 5

Jimmy Butler Nick Van Exel
Season 2015-161997-98
Team Chicago BullsLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayLakers Lost West Conf Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 67 36.9 20.9 1.2 4.2 5.3 4.8 1.6 0.6 2.0 1.9 7.0 15.4 .454 1.0 3.1 .312 5.9 7.1 .832
Nick Van Exel 64 32.1 13.8 0.5 2.5 3.0 6.9 1.0 0.1 1.6 1.9 4.9 11.6 .419 1.9 4.9 .389 2.1 2.7 .791
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler ------- --- ----------
Nick Van Exel 13 28.3 11.6 0.7 1.8 2.5 4.2 0.6 0.1 1.7 2.3 3.8 11.6 .331 1.7 5.4 .314 2.2 3.1 .725

Season 6

Jimmy Butler Nick Van Exel
Season 2016-171998-99
Team Chicago BullsDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 76 37.0 23.9 1.7 4.5 6.2 5.5 1.9 0.4 2.1 1.5 7.5 16.5 .455 1.2 3.3 .367 7.7 8.9 .865
Nick Van Exel 50 36.0 16.5 0.3 2.0 2.3 7.4 0.8 0.1 2.4 1.8 6.1 15.4 .398 1.4 4.7 .308 2.8 3.5 .811
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 6 39.8 22.7 1.5 5.8 7.3 4.3 1.7 0.8 2.5 1.7 7.7 18.0 .426 1.0 3.8 .261 6.3 7.8 .809
Nick Van Exel ------- --- ----------

Season 7

Jimmy Butler Nick Van Exel
Season 2017-181999-00
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 59 36.7 22.2 1.3 4.0 5.3 4.9 2.0 0.4 1.8 1.3 7.4 15.6 .474 1.2 3.4 .350 6.2 7.2 .854
Nick Van Exel 79 37.3 16.1 0.4 3.5 3.9 9.0 0.9 0.1 2.8 1.9 6.0 15.4 .390 1.7 5.1 .332 2.5 3.0 .817
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 5 34.0 15.8 0.6 5.4 6.0 4.0 0.8 0.2 1.0 1.8 5.6 12.6 .444 1.6 3.4 .471 3.0 3.6 .833
Nick Van Exel ------- --- ----------

Season 8

Jimmy Butler Nick Van Exel
Season 2018-192000-01
Team Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ersDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs 76ers Lost East Conf SemisDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 65 33.6 18.7 1.9 3.4 5.3 4.0 1.9 0.6 1.5 1.7 6.4 13.9 .462 1.0 3.0 .347 4.8 5.6 .855
Nick Van Exel 71 37.9 17.7 0.6 2.8 3.4 8.5 0.9 0.3 2.3 1.5 6.5 15.7 .414 1.9 5.0 .377 2.9 3.5 .819
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 12 35.1 19.4 1.8 4.2 6.0 5.2 1.5 0.6 1.8 1.7 6.6 14.6 .451 1.0 3.8 .267 5.3 6.0 .875
Nick Van Exel ------- --- ----------

Season 9

Jimmy Butler Nick Van Exel
Season 2019-202001-02
Team Miami HeatDenver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Heat Lost NBA FinalsMavericks Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 58 33.8 19.9 1.8 4.8 6.7 6.0 1.8 0.6 2.2 1.4 5.9 13.1 .455 0.5 2.1 .244 7.6 9.1 .834
Nick Van Exel 72 34.7 18.4 0.4 3.1 3.5 6.6 0.6 0.2 2.2 1.4 7.0 17.0 .409 1.7 4.9 .340 2.8 3.5 .801
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 21 38.4 22.2 2.2 4.3 6.5 6.0 2.0 0.7 2.8 1.8 6.9 14.0 .488 0.7 2.0 .349 7.8 9.1 .859
Nick Van Exel 8 32.8 11.1 0.9 2.1 3.0 3.9 1.0 0.0 1.5 3.3 4.6 12.6 .366 0.9 4.3 .206 1.0 1.5 .667

Season 10

Jimmy Butler Nick Van Exel
Season 2020-212002-03
Team Miami HeatDallas Mavericks
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement Steals Leader-
Playoffs Heat Lost East Conf 1st RdMavericks Lost West Conf Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 52 33.6 21.5 1.8 5.1 6.9 7.1 2.1 0.3 2.1 1.4 7.0 14.2 .497 0.5 2.0 .245 6.9 8.0 .863
Nick Van Exel 73 27.8 12.5 0.5 2.4 2.8 4.3 0.6 0.1 1.7 1.2 4.7 11.4 .412 1.6 4.3 .378 1.5 2.0 .764
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 4 38.5 14.5 1.5 6.0 7.5 7.0 1.3 0.3 2.3 1.5 4.8 16.0 .297 1.0 3.8 .267 4.0 5.5 .727
Nick Van Exel 20 33.7 19.5 0.9 2.5 3.4 4.1 0.6 0.0 2.0 2.4 7.5 16.3 .460 2.2 5.6 .393 2.3 3.2 .703

Season 11

Jimmy Butler Nick Van Exel
Season 2021-222003-04
Team Miami HeatGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Heat Lost East Conf FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 57 33.9 21.4 1.8 4.1 5.9 5.5 1.6 0.5 2.1 1.5 7.0 14.5 .480 0.5 2.0 .233 6.9 8.0 .870
Nick Van Exel 39 32.2 12.6 0.4 2.3 2.7 5.3 0.5 0.1 2.0 1.5 4.8 12.3 .390 1.2 3.8 .307 1.8 2.5 .707
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 17 37.0 27.4 2.4 4.9 7.4 4.6 2.1 0.6 1.5 1.5 9.8 19.3 .506 1.4 4.0 .338 6.5 7.8 .841
Nick Van Exel ------- --- ----------

Season 12

Jimmy Butler Nick Van Exel
Season 2022-232004-05
Team Miami HeatPortland Trail Blazers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Playoffs Heat Lost NBA FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 64 33.4 22.9 2.2 3.7 5.9 5.3 1.8 0.3 1.6 1.3 7.5 13.9 .539 0.6 1.6 .350 7.4 8.7 .850
Nick Van Exel 53 30.5 11.1 0.4 2.7 3.0 4.3 0.8 0.0 1.7 1.3 4.0 10.6 .381 1.9 4.8 .389 1.1 1.4 .784
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 22 39.7 26.9 2.1 4.3 6.5 5.9 1.8 0.6 1.9 1.7 9.4 20.1 .468 1.3 3.5 .359 6.8 8.5 .806
Nick Van Exel ------- --- ----------

Season 13

Jimmy Butler Nick Van Exel
Season 2023-242005-06
Team Miami HeatSan Antonio Spurs
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlaySpurs Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler 60 34.0 20.8 1.8 3.6 5.3 5.0 1.3 0.3 1.7 1.1 6.6 13.2 .499 1.0 2.4 .414 6.6 7.7 .858
Nick Van Exel 65 15.2 5.5 0.1 1.3 1.4 1.9 0.2 0.0 0.9 0.9 2.1 5.3 .397 0.8 2.4 .357 0.4 0.6 .683
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Jimmy Butler ------- --- ----------
Nick Van Exel 12 11.1 2.2 0.1 0.9 1.0 1.4 0.3 0.2 0.4 1.2 0.6 2.7 .219 0.3 0.8 .300 0.8 0.8 1.000