The Long Jimmy Butler trade saga has finally reached a conclusion.
Golden State Warriors They acquired Butler from Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroeder, Kyle Anderson and Lindy Waters II's Miami Heat. According to Shamsticarania of ESPN insider. Shrade goes UtajazJosh Richardson and Waters II go to the Detroit Pistons, Anderson goes to the heat, With insider Chris Haynes.
In this transaction, the transaction is not the only news. The Warriors also signed Butler a two-year, $121 million contract extension. According to Charania. Butler has been trapped in Golden State throughout the 2026-2027 season.
Butler has been halted multiple times by the heat this season as he tried to leave town. Butler wanted to be traded Phoenix Sunshowever, due to Bradley Beal's non-trade clause, neither party was able to make the transaction.
The Warriors tried to land Kevin Durant on trade on Wednesday, but Durant retreated He showed he was not interested in reunion in the bay. The warriors were disappointed all year round, sitting 25-24 overall with the 10th-ranked seed in the West at the time of trade. This move shortens Steve Kerr's rotation, but offers another All-Star caliber player next to Stephen Curry.
Let's evaluate this transaction on both sides.
Jimmy Butler Trade's Warriors Grade
The Warriors have fallen into mediocre since the stunning 2022 NBA Championship. With Stephen Curry turning 37 in March, Golden State was no longer making an aggressive move to get more help from the older superstar. Butler is one of the best players available in the trade market, and it's fascinating to see how he fits into Steve Carr's system.
Butler is 35 years old and he has become an almost part-time player as he tried to force a trade with Phoenix this year. Butler has only played 25 games this year, but he was still very good when he was on the floor. He has been estimated plus or minus for all offensive this year, thanks to his outstanding scoring efficiency (true shooting of 64.4%), low turnover rate, and his ability to oil offensive assaults after his death. Ranked in the 96th percentile of players.
Butler is still a monster finisher on the rims, consistently reaching the foul line and knocking down free throws. He had very little capacity during his tenure in Miami, not a three-point shooter, which makes him interesting in the Warriors' offense. Even if Golden State has concerns about the spacing between Butler and Green in its closing lineup, the defense should be great. Butler brings enough offensive skills to the table to alleviate his unstable jumper.
Butlers can unlock curry from the ball by performing separation and pick-and-roll. Golden State ranks 28th in the free throw rating, making his ability to generate points at the foul line a welcome bonus too. Butler is still a great defender and he has been in the top 10 units this season. The Warriors defense requires Jimmy and Draymond to be both elite on the floor.
Extensions are the high risk part of this movement. It covers Butler in his 36- and 37-year-old season. His durability is a major concern. Butler has not played more than 64 games in the season since 2019. He has only played over 70 games in his 15-year career.
Still, Butler is a proven playoff riser in a way that allows a small number of players in the league to match. He dragged the heat into two NBA final runs. You can expect him to be his best in the biggest game. The Warriors are likely to need to reach the playoffs through the play-in tournament, and if they make the playoffs they will have to draw some upsets to go for the run. It's nice to have a dog like Butler by your side.
Is Butler enough to put the Warriors on the top of the West? Probably not, but you never know. He is a proven playoff performer. Golden State had to add an impact player this season, and they found it.
Warriors Grade: a-
Jimmy Butler's trade heat grade
Miami did well to score a first round pick and useful player from this contract with Wiggins. Butler's market was down by the fact that he only wanted to go to Phoenix, but both sides made a deal when the Warriors agreed to give him an extension.
The Heat won Golden State's Top 10 Protection First Round Pick in 2025. The pick will turn into a second round pick with another year of top 10 protection.
Wiggins had an incredible bounce back season in Golden State this year. He averages 17.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game with 56.6% true shooting. Wiggins turned 30 later this month, and he's become much younger than Butler.
The heat had to remove the butler and they ended up making what felt like a solid trade under the circumstances. The place they go from here is much more interesting.
Thermal grade:b+
