From the moment Jimmy Butler joined the Golden State Warriors, skepticism surrounded his fit, especially given his dramatic exit from the Miami Heat. Even Warriors stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green harbored initial doubts. But Butler quickly proved his value, seamlessly integrating into Steve Kerr’s system and becoming a pivotal piece of the Warriors’ scheme.
The on-court pairing of Curry and Butler was electric, giving the Warriors a much-needed secondary scorer following Klay Thompson’s move to the Dallas Mavericks. After Golden State’s elimination at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA conference semifinals, Curry praised Butler’s immediate impact on the team.
“There was a lot of chatter of whether it was the right trade… From the first game in Chicago to last night, it was a seamless fit,” Curry said via The Athletic’s Anthony Slater. “(We) complement each other so well. He gave us so much belief… It was a success. Now you have to build off that”.
In his debut season with Golden State, Butler played 30 regular-season games, averaging 17.9 points on 47.6% shooting, alongside 5.9 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game. His contributions intensified in the playoffs, where he averaged 19.2 points and 6.6 rebounds.
Jimmy Butler III #10 of the Golden State Warriors shoots the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the Western Conference semifinals. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Despite the Warriors falling short of their championship goals, Curry remains confident in the team’s core, citing a two-year window with himself, Butler, Green, and head coach Steve Kerr all under contract.
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“Our contracts are all me, Draymond, Steve, Jimmy — all two years,” Curry emphasized. “[We] want this ride to last as long as possible, but it’s just about what this team needs for next year. Answer those questions over the summer”.
Meanwhile, Draymond Green hinted at the possibility of adding another superstar to the roster.“Asked if Warriors need another star or more complementary pieces, Draymond Green said Warriors are set up to go whichever route and Mike Dunleavy will make the right decision,” ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk wrote. “He notes adding a fourth star doesn’t always work. But he said if one is available, always good to take ‘a peek’”.
