The Golden State Warriors and Jimmy Butler are off to an impressive start, winning five of their first six games together.
Yet, just three days before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, such a pairing seemed highly unlikely. The Warriors initially prioritized a reunion with Kevin Durant, while Butler reportedly preferred a move to the Phoenix Suns.
When asked about these reports by The Athletic, Butler didn’t deny them.
On Feb. 3, ESPN reported that Butler had no interest in signing a contract extension with the Warriors if they traded for him. At first glance, it appeared to be a strategic move to deter an unwelcome trade.
However, three weeks later, following Golden State’s win over Sacramento, Butler addressed the situation with confidence.
“Honestly — in the most humble way possible — I’m a good fit everywhere,” Butler said, averaging 20.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.5 steals with the Warriors. **”I am because I’m going to play basketball the right way. I’m going to play my game. A lot of people here shoot a ton of 3s. You don’t see me out there shooting a ton of 3s.
“I’m going to do what I do because what I do helps teams win. I’m gonna guard, gonna get some steals, get to the free-throw line, and I’m gonna hit the open guy 10 out of 10 times. And I think that’s why it works here. The only thing (about his new situation) is wanting to be wanted. I’m wanted here. I’m good with that. And this is where I want to be. Real s—.”**
Warriors Exec Denies Butler Rumors
Warriors executive vice president of basketball operations Kirk Lacob refuted earlier reports that Golden State was hesitant about pursuing Butler due to his high trade cost and potential locker room fit concerns.
“Well, the great news about what’s going on in the media is that it’s not always right,” Lacob said on 95.7 The Game’s Steiny and Guru on Feb. 12. “No offense to (the media), but there’s stuff out there all the time that’s not right, we let it be. Jimmy is someone we’ve been focused on for a long time. We’re really excited about him. He’s an absolute killer.”
Butler’s arrival has revitalized the Warriors, whose playoff hopes were fading before the trade. His presence has strengthened their interior play, complementing Stephen Curry’s outside shooting and helping Golden State climb back into the Western Conference play-in mix.
At 30-27, the Warriors are just 1.5 games behind the sixth-seed Los Angeles Clippers (31-25).
Jimmy Butler’s Pre-Draft Interview
Lacob, son of Warriors owner Joe Lacob, revealed that Butler had been on his radar since 2011.
“I really loved Butler since his pre-draft interview back in the day,” Lacob recalled. “We interviewed him and he’s one of the best pre-draft interviews I’ve ever been a part of. [I] walked away from that and I was like, ‘I don’t know how good this guy gonna be, but he’s gonna definitely make it and I’m gonna root for him.'”
In the 2011 NBA Draft, the Warriors selected Klay Thompson with the 11th overall pick, while Butler went 30th to the Chicago Bulls.
“To see where his career has gone, he’s such a winner and he fits our culture so well and our style of play,” Lacob added. “So we are extremely excited to have him.”
