Warriors had to do something—and that’s why they got Jimmy Butler in trade

The Warriors had to do something. Especially after the dreaded Lakers did so much, adding Luka Dončić to a team that already featured LeBron James. Especially with their championship window—meaning the final days of Steph Curry and Draymond Green—now barely wide enough to slide a memory through. 

The Warriors had to do something and they did. 

And in trading efficient, cooperative, good guy Andrew Wiggins to Miami for frequent problem Jimmy Butler—he had been suspended for his disagreement with Pat Riley—did they do the right thing?

Butler didn’t play in Thursday night’s game against the Lakers in Los Angeles, where Golden State, once trailing by 26, fell 120-112. That dropped the Dubs to one game below .500 at 25-26. 

Warriors’ management knows what it had and what it doesn’t have now. This is always the problem when greatness ages, trying to replay the past with another cast. It’s a mark of desperation, and yet it’s entirely understandable because the hope is there that somehow the magic will return. Even though the brilliance that was Curry and Draymond understandably has dimmed, if not that much, with Steph turning 37 in March the same month Draymond becomes 35.

On Thursday night Curry scored 37. He still can carry a team, but not without some assistance. The thinking is Butler will be able to provide that help, which is why the Warriors front office was willing to make the trade. Butler may play a different style than the Warriors, but he does notably well at the most important of times.

As someone pointed out, Butler performs well on the big stage. But can he get to the big stage? 

According to some sources, Kevin Durant would have been the Warriors first choice. He helped propel them to two NBA championships. However, Durant did not want to return to Golden State. He remains with the Phoenix Suns. 

So Butler, who sought to escape Miami—he refused to play with the Heat the last few weeks and was then suspended—was the guy the Warriors obtained in exchange for Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, PJ Tucker, Davion Mitchell, and a 2025 protected first-round pick via the Warriors. 

This is all about the present, about trying to cling to what may be remaining. A large price for Golden State perhaps, yet the people in charge felt it had to be paid in order to keep the crowds paying for those expensive seats at Chase Center.

Butler is 35, but he remains dynamic and exciting, which would be perfect to enable Curry to find more room to get open and get the ball in the basket. 

“I’m happy to be wanted again,” Butler told the media. “I got a feeling I’m going to be back in a big way, too. So I’m smiling. I know that I have my joy back now.”   

The Warriors can only wish they will be as joyful.