Jimmy Butler and Anthony Edwards Both Buzzed Off Their Braids This Week. Here's Why the Cut Is Everywhere

July 29, 2026 · 5 min read

Two NBA stars said goodbye to their signature braids within a day of each other this week. From Golden State to Minnesota, the buzz cut is having a moment, and it happens to be one of the easiest asks you can bring to your own barber.

• Golden State's Jimmy Butler shaved off his braids for a buzz cut on Monday, July 27, captioning the reveal "Marquette Jimmy loading," a nod to his college playing days.
• Minnesota's Anthony Edwards debuted his own buzz cut in Timberwolves offseason workout photos posted that same week, days after marrying longtime partner Shannon Jackson in early July.
• Both players are heading into pivotal seasons: Butler is rehabbing a torn ACL from a January injury, and Edwards is coming off a season averaging 28.8 points per game, third-most in the league.
• The cut both stars landed on is one of the lowest-maintenance requests you can bring to a chair, and it holds up through workouts, heat, and back-to-back long days better than almost anything else.

Two Stars, Same Decision, Same Week

Jimmy Butler posted the reveal himself on Monday, sharing a series of photos and a video set to NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye" as his braids came off for a clean buzz cut. The caption, "Marquette Jimmy loading," pointed back to his college years playing for Marquette in Wisconsin, long before the tattoos, the coffee brand, and the trade rumors that have followed him through a recovery from a torn ACL suffered against his former team in January. Stephen Curry got in on the fun online too, cracking a joke about the new look landing in his teammate's feed.

A few days later, Anthony Edwards showed up in a fresh set of Timberwolves workout photos with the same basic idea: braids gone, buzz cut in. His new look arrived barely a week after he married longtime partner Shannon Jackson in early July, and fans online mostly reacted by pointing out how much the shorter cut makes him look like Michael Jordan, keeping alive the running joke that Edwards is somehow MJ's long-lost kid.

Why the Clippers Come Out Before a Big Chapter

Neither guy needed a haircut to change how he plays basketball, but the timing tracks with something barbers see constantly. Butler is stepping into a new season while still working his knee back into game shape, and Edwards is coming off a career year and starting married life. Both moments carry a little weight, and a clean reset at the chair is a cheap, fast way to walk into a new stretch of life feeling like you have already made one good decision.

That instinct is not unique to pro athletes. Guys reach for a fresh cut before a first day at a new job, a wedding, or a return from injury or time off for almost the same reason. It is a small, controllable move that signals you are ready for what is next, even before anything else changes.

What Actually Makes a Buzz Cut Work

Not every buzz cut looks the same, and the difference usually comes down to a couple of decisions made in the chair. Guard length matters most: a 1 or 2 all over reads sharper and more deliberate than a longer, fuzzier guard 4 or 5, which can look unfinished if it grows out unevenly. Ask your barber to check your head shape and hairline before committing, since a buzz cut puts both on full display in a way longer styles never do.

A skin fade around the ears and neckline, paired with a clean beard line, is what turns a plain buzz into a finished look instead of a shortcut. It is also worth asking about upkeep. A tight buzz needs a touch-up every two to three weeks to stay sharp, which is a lighter lift than most fades or tapers require.

Bring the Same Energy Into Your Own Chair

You do not need a max contract or a wedding on the calendar to justify buzzing it off. If you have been sitting on the same look for a while and want a low-maintenance reset heading into fall, this is about as easy an ask as you can bring to a barber.

Book online through Squire or walk into Strange Times Barber Co in Summerlin and ask for a buzz with a skin fade around the edges. It is quick, it is cheap compared to almost anything else in your grooming routine, and it holds up a lot longer than either star's trade rumors probably will.

6 Low-Maintenance Cuts If You Are Ready to Buzz It Off

The buzz cut has range once you start adjusting guard lengths and fade lines. Here are six versions worth bringing to your barber.

1. Induction Cut: A single guard length all over, as close to zero-maintenance as a haircut gets.
2. Buzz with Skin Fade: Slightly longer on top with the sides faded to skin, the version both Butler and Edwards landed near.
3. Crew Cut: A bit more length on top than a true buzz, giving you something to work with if you want minimal styling.
4. Butch Cut: Uniform length across the whole head with a slight taper at the edges, a classic low-fuss option.
5. Temple Fade Buzz: A short fade focused around the temples and hairline, good for guys dealing with a receding or uneven line.
6. Buzz with Beard Line-Up: Pairs the short cut with a crisp beard edge so the whole look reads intentional, not just short.

Frequently asked questions

What did Jimmy Butler and Anthony Edwards actually change about their hair?

Both players shaved off their signature braids for a short buzz cut, revealed within days of each other in late July 2026.

How often does a buzz cut need to be touched up?

Every two to three weeks to keep the guard length even and the edges clean, which is lighter upkeep than most fades or tapers.

Will a buzz cut work with any head shape?

Most head shapes handle it fine, but it is worth asking your barber to check for flat spots or an uneven hairline first, since a buzz leaves nothing to hide behind.

Is a buzz cut a good option before a big life event or a fresh start?

Yes. It is fast, low-maintenance, and reads as a clean, deliberate reset, which is part of why it shows up so often around big transitions.