Golden State Not All Smiles After Blockbuster Jimmy Butler Trade

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler is introduced before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Jan. 1 in Miami. Lynne Sladky/AP Photo

Jimmy Butler going to the Golden State Warriors via trade didn’t bring elation to the team’s locker room on Wednesday.

That’s because someone had to go—four players in all. Golden State sent Andrew Wiggins to the Miami Heat as part of a four-team trade for Butler. The Heat also acquired Kyle Anderson and a protected 2025 first-round draft pick from the Warriors, and the Heat also landed P.J. Tucker from the Utah Jazz.

Meanwhile, the Jazz obtained Dennis Schroder from the Warriors, and the Detroit Pistons acquired Lindy Waters III from the Warriors and Josh Richardson from the Heat. Four former Warriors players gone because of the blockbuster trade left the team with just 10 players and the real human emotions of teammates parting ways ahead of a critical game against the Jazz on Wednesday.

“I think the league should consider making the trade deadline at the All-Star break,” Coach Steve Kerr told reporters. “Just so you don’t have to face these games. Guys are getting traded half an hour before a game and you’re trying to process the emotions and trying to win a game.

“These are tough days for sure,” he added.

Golden State didn’t win as the Jazz held off the visitors from the Bay Area 131–128 on Wednesday. Jordan Clarkson and Keyonte George combined for 57 points to lead the Jazz to victory at the Delta Center.

“We got off to a terrible start but bounced back,” Kerr added. “I thought [we] played a pretty solid game until the last three minutes.”

The Warriors dropped to 25–25, and the team could use a boost from Butler, who had a strong six years in Miami on the court aside from the contract drama. Butler averaged 20-plus points in all but two seasons with the team, and he led the Heat to the Eastern Conference finals three times and the NBA Finals twice.

Instead of talking about the future with Butler, Kerr gave a nod to Wiggins, who had been a key contributor for the last six seasons. The former No. 1 pick joined the Warriors in 2019 via a trade, and he helped the team win a championship in 2022.

“Just had a baby boy last week,” Kerr said. “Girls in school. Wiggs is one of my favorite players I’ve ever coached. Just a beautiful soul. We don’t hang that banner in ‘22 without him.”

Warriors star guard Steph Curry, who said he exchanged text messages with Butler after the trade, is well aware of the drama. Butler had requested a trade after not getting his contract wishes met, and he was suspended multiple times for team misconduct.

“I understand there was a lot of drama down there,” Curry told reporters on Wednesday. “Who really knows what the story is? We expect to have a motivated, committed Jimmy that’s ready to impact our team for the better.”

“Gotta work out the kinks of what it looks like, and I’m excited to get to work. Gotta feed off the energy of something new,” Curry added.

Golden State needed a shakeup after a 12–3 start cratered into a 13–22 stretch. Curry sees the potential in what Butler brings to the court.

“He’s a shot creator, a finisher, somebody that you have to take into account no matter where he’s on the floor, he plays at his own speed, he can get to the foul line, take advantage of matchups,” Curry said. “He’s obviously a competitor at the highest of levels.”

The last time the Warriors brought in a star player who had led a team to an NBA Finals in the past, it went well. That was Kevin Durant, who led the Oklahoma City Thunder to the finals in 2012 before he joined the Warriors in 2016 and helped the team win back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018.

Durant ironically was a speculated trade target for the Warriors at this year’s deadline, but he remained with the Phoenix Suns instead.