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Stephen A. Smith tells Jimmy Butler what he must do to ‘make up for’ last season, owes it to Stephen Curry

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By James Shearman | Last updated Aug 24, 2025 1:44 PM ET

The Golden State Warriors underwhelmed in the 2024-25 season and will be looking to improve significantly in the upcoming campaign.

The Warriors’ record after the mid-season trade for Jimmy Butler was really impressive, but the playoffs did not go as planned.

After beating the Houston Rockets in seven games in the first round, they lost 4-1 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference semi-finals.

The biggest issue for the Warriors in that series was the hamstring injury that kept Stephen Curry out for four of the five games.

Butler was unable to carry his team to victory as he did with the Miami Heat, which led to an early exit.

Stephen A. Smith has now laid out his expectations for the small forward ahead of the 2025-26 season.

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Stephen A. Smith wants Jimmy Butler to step up in 2025/26 season

Speaking on First Take, Smith named Butler as the fourth-most important player to watch in the upcoming season.

“Here’s why this guy is so important: His teammate is the greatest shooter God has ever created, who, by the way, hospitalizes opponents who chase him around stupidly, and then have to go to the hospital for oxygen. Steph Curry can do that to you,” Smith explained.

“You can’t ask him at age 37 to do that without stepping up and showing who Jimmy Buckets is and reminding the world of Jimmy Buckets and what he brings to the table. We didn’t see much of that against Minnesota after Steph Curry went down.

“He’s got to make up for that this upcoming season, with a full season under your belt in Golden State. If Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry are on their game, noise can be made in the Western Conference.”

And Smith is right. While Curry will need to be the Warriors’ best player, they will only be title contenders if Butler plays at an all-NBA level.

Golden State Warriors’ record with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler

While the sample size is small, the Warriors showed great signs with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler on the court.

The Warriors won 22 out of 27 regular-season games they played together after the trade deadline last season.

It is difficult to envisage them winning the loaded Western Conference next season; however, anything is possible if Curry and Butler play at their highest level.

It might also help if they trade Jonathan Kuminga now or at the deadline for a wing or big man who could improve the team more immediately.

Nikola Vucevic is an example of a player who would round out the Warriors’ starting five particularly well.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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