Jimmy Butler vs. Kevin Love Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Kevin Love 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 / Scoring / Stats / Stats Rankings / Games against each other

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 played 14 years in the NBA, 3 less than Kevin Love, who played 17. Jimmy Butler had the first of his seasons in 2011-12, while Kevin Love had his rookie season in 2008-09. 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 achievements, 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 14 12 2011-12 to 2024-25
Kevin Love 17 6 2008-09 to 2024-25

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14

Rookie Season

Jimmy Butler Kevin Love
Season 2011-122008-09
Team Chicago BullsMinnesota Timberwolves
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Rookie Second Team
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
Rookie Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+39+16.8+8.5+2.9+4.9+7.8+0.7+0.1+0.5-1.2-2.0+3.1+6.6+.054+0.1+.077+2.3+2.8+.021
Kevin Love 81 25.3 11.1 3.4 5.7 9.1 1.0 0.4 0.6 1.5 2.5 3.9 8.5 .459 0.0 0.2 .105 3.3 4.1 .789
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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 -
Kevin Love DNP------ --- ----------

Season 2

Jimmy Butler Kevin Love
Season 2012-132009-10
Team Chicago BullsMinnesota Timberwolves
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf SemisDid Not Play
more >>
2nd Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+22+2.6+5.4+2.1+4.9+7.0+0.9+0.3-1.2-1.1+2.0+4.6+.017+0.1+0.5+.051+1.5+1.8+.012
Kevin Love 60 28.6 14.0 3.8 7.2 11.0 2.3 0.7 0.4 2.0 2.3 4.9 10.8 .450 0.6 1.8 .330 3.8 4.6 .815
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
Kevin Love DNP------ --- ----------

Season 3

Jimmy Butler Kevin Love
Season 2013-142010-11
Team Chicago BullsMinnesota Timberwolves
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
-Achievement Most Improved Player
-Achievement Rebounds Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
3rd Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+6+2.9+7.1+3.2+7.1+10.3+0.1+1.3+0.1-0.6-0.4+2.5+3.8+.073+0.2+0.7+.134+1.9+1.8+.081
Kevin Love 73 35.8 20.2 4.5 10.7 15.2 2.5 0.6 0.4 2.1 2.0 6.6 14.1 .470 1.2 2.9 .417 5.8 6.8 .850
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
Kevin Love DNP------ --- ----------

Season 4

Jimmy Butler Kevin Love
Season 2014-152011-12
Team Chicago BullsMinnesota Timberwolves
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement Most Improved Player-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf SemisDid Not Play
more >>
4th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+10+0.3+6.0+2.3+5.1+7.5+1.3+0.9+0.1-0.9-1.1+2.1+5.3+.014+0.8+2.1+.006+1.0+1.3+.010
Kevin Love 55 39.0 26.0 4.1 9.2 13.3 2.0 0.9 0.5 2.3 2.8 8.6 19.3 .448 1.9 5.1 .372 6.9 8.4 .824
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
Kevin Love DNP------ --- ----------

Season 5

Jimmy Butler Kevin Love
Season 2015-162012-13
Team Chicago BullsMinnesota Timberwolves
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
more >>
5th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+49+2.6+2.6+2.4+6.2+8.7+2.5+0.9+0.1-0.2+1.2+1.2+.102+0.1+2.0+.095+0.3+0.8+.128
Kevin Love 18 34.3 18.3 3.6 10.4 14.0 2.3 0.7 0.5 2.2 1.9 5.8 16.6 .352 1.1 5.1 .217 5.6 7.9 .704
Playoffs Stats
* Neiher Jimmy Butler nor Kevin Love played in the postseason in their season 5

Season 6

Jimmy Butler Kevin Love
Season 2016-172013-14
Team Chicago BullsMinnesota Timberwolves
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Bulls Lost East Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
6th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+1+0.7+2.2+1.2+5.1+6.3+1.1+1.1+0.1-0.4-0.3+0.9+2.0+.002+1.3+3.3+.009+0.9+0.7+.044
Kevin Love 77 36.3 26.1 2.9 9.6 12.5 4.4 0.8 0.5 2.5 1.8 8.4 18.5 .457 2.5 6.6 .376 6.8 8.2 .821
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
Kevin Love DNP------ --- ----------

Season 7

Jimmy Butler Kevin Love
Season 2017-182014-15
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdCavaliers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
7th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+16+2.9+5.8+0.6+3.9+4.4+2.7+1.3+0.1-0.2-0.6+1.9+2.9+.040+0.7+1.8+.017+2.8+2.9+.050
Kevin Love 75 33.8 16.4 1.9 7.9 9.7 2.2 0.7 0.5 1.6 1.9 5.5 12.7 .434 1.9 5.2 .367 3.4 4.3 .804
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+1+7.2+1.5+0.9+0.1+1.0+1.5+0.5+0.3-0.5-1.2+1.3+2.3+.029+0.7+1.9+.042+0.5+1.2+.096
Kevin Love 4 26.8 14.3 1.5 5.5 7.0 2.5 0.3 0.5 1.5 3.0 4.3 10.3 .415 2.3 5.3 .429 3.5 4.8 .737

Season 8

Jimmy Butler Kevin Love
Season 2018-192015-16
Team Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ersCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs 76ers Lost East Conf SemisNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
8th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+12+2.1+2.7+4.6+4.6+1.6+1.1+0.1-0.3-0.4+1.1+1.2+.043+1.1+2.7+.013+1.4+1.5+.033
Kevin Love 77 31.5 16.0 1.9 8.0 9.9 2.4 0.8 0.5 1.8 2.1 5.3 12.7 .419 2.1 5.7 .360 3.4 4.1 .822
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+8+4.4+4.7+0.1+2.9+2.8+3.1+1.0+0.2-0.4+2.0+2.6+.066+1.3+1.8+.147+2.1+2.2+.035
Kevin Love 20 30.7 14.7 1.7 7.1 8.8 2.1 0.5 0.4 1.4 1.7 4.6 12.0 .385 2.3 5.6 .414 3.2 3.8 .840

Season 9

Jimmy Butler Kevin Love
Season 2019-202016-17
Team Miami HeatCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Heat Lost NBA FinalsCavaliers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
9th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+2+2.4+0.9+0.7+3.8+4.4+4.1+0.9+0.2-0.2-0.7+0.3+1.4+.028+1.9+4.4+.129+3.3+4.2+.037
Kevin Love 60 31.4 19.0 2.5 8.6 11.1 1.9 0.9 0.4 2.0 2.1 6.2 14.5 .427 2.4 6.5 .373 4.3 4.9 .871
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+3+6.3+5.4+0.2+4.3+4.1+4.3+0.8+0.2-1.1-0.8+1.6+1.9+.052+2.1+4.2+.101+4.3+4.9+.019
Kevin Love 18 32.1 16.8 2.0 8.6 10.6 1.7 1.2 0.9 1.7 2.6 5.3 12.1 .436 2.8 6.2 .450 3.5 4.2 .840

Season 10

Jimmy Butler Kevin Love
Season 2020-212017-18
Team Miami HeatCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Third Team-
Achievement All-Defensive Second Team-
Achievement Steals Leader-
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Heat Lost East Conf 1st RdCavaliers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
10th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+7+5.6+3.9+0.1+2.4+2.4+5.4+1.4+0.1-0.6-0.6+1.3+1.8+.039+1.8+3.6+.170+2.9+3.5+.017
Kevin Love 59 28.0 17.6 1.7 7.5 9.3 1.7 0.7 0.4 1.5 2.0 5.7 12.4 .458 2.3 5.6 .415 4.0 4.5 .880
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+17+7.1+0.4+0.8+1.9+2.7+5.4+0.6+0.1-0.3-1.3+0.4+2.8+.095+0.7+1.2+.073+1.2+2.5+.195
Kevin Love 21 31.4 14.9 2.3 7.9 10.2 1.6 0.7 0.4 2.0 2.8 5.2 13.2 .392 1.7 5.0 .340 2.8 3.0 .922

Season 11

Jimmy Butler Kevin Love
Season 2021-222018-19
Team Miami HeatCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Heat Lost East Conf FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
11th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+35+6.7+4.4+0.3+5.3+5.0+3.3+1.3+0.3-0.2-1.0+2.0+1.6+.095+1.9+4.7+.128+2.2+2.8+.034
Kevin Love 22 27.2 17.0 1.5 9.4 10.9 2.2 0.3 0.2 1.9 2.5 5.0 12.9 .385 2.4 6.7 .361 4.7 5.2 .904
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
Kevin Love DNP------ --- ----------

Season 12

Jimmy Butler Kevin Love
Season 2022-232019-20
Team Miami HeatCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Playoffs Heat Lost NBA FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
12th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+8+1.6+5.3+1.2+5.1+3.9+2.1+1.2-0.9-0.3+1.7+0.9+.089+2.0+5.4+.024+4.1+4.8+.004
Kevin Love 56 31.8 17.6 1.0 8.8 9.8 3.2 0.6 0.3 2.5 1.6 5.8 13.0 .450 2.6 7.0 .374 3.3 3.9 .854
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
Kevin Love DNP------ --- ----------

Season 13

Jimmy Butler Kevin Love
Season 2023-242020-21
Team Miami HeatCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
more >>
13th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF 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
difference:+35+9.1+8.6+1.1+3.2+2.1+2.5+0.7+0.2-0.2-0.1+2.5+3.1+.090+1.3+3.8+.049+4.9+5.7+.034
Kevin Love 25 24.9 12.2 0.7 6.8 7.4 2.5 0.6 0.1 1.5 1.0 4.1 10.1 .409 2.3 6.2 .365 1.7 2.0 .824
Playoffs Stats
* Neiher Jimmy Butler nor Kevin Love played in the postseason in their season 13

Season 14

Jimmy Butler Kevin Love
Season 2024-252021-22
Team Miami Heat, Golden State WarriorsCleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Warriors Lost West Conf SemisDid Not Play
more >>
14th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jimmy Butler 55 31.7 17.5 2.3 3.1 5.4 5.4 1.4 0.3 1.3 0.9 5.5 10.9 .504 0.6 1.9 .308 6.0 7.1 .842
difference:+19+9.2+3.9+1.1+3.0+1.8+3.2+1.0+0.1-0.5+1.1+0.6+.074+1.9+4.5+.084+3.8+4.4+.004
Kevin Love 74 22.5 13.6 1.2 6.1 7.2 2.2 0.4 0.2 1.3 1.4 4.4 10.3 .430 2.5 6.4 .392 2.2 2.7 .838
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jimmy Butler 11 36.1 19.2 2.4 4.3 6.6 5.2 1.3 0.3 1.2 1.7 6.2 13.8 .447 1.0 3.3 .306 5.8 7.3 .800
Kevin Love DNP------ --- ----------

Additional Years

* Kevin Love played 3 seasons more than Jimmy Butler in the NBA.

In that period—his seasons 15 to 17, from 2023 to 2025—Kevin Love played in two Playoffs.