Breaking Down Jimmy Butler Trade

To the outside, Wiggins is merely a defensive weapon with athletic gifts for offense; to the Warriors, he held them together during trying times and improved them enough to win a championship.

Missing such a presence could cause a rift in the locker room. However, as Curry stated after Wednesday's 131-128, the team must continue to display professionalism as it's part of the game. 

Perhaps the Warriors should have traded for Butler sooner if Miami Heat's president Pat Riley had given them such an opportunity. 

As the 11th seed in the Western Conference, the Warriors don't have much time to figure out how to implement Butler into their system. Making such a major deal amid the season only complicates things and could cause frustration. However, Butler will likely fall in line with Curry as a respected leader and Draymond Green as the voice and alpha presence.

Regarding coaching, Kerr leading a team with Green and Butler could make for some trying moments. Moreover, Butler disregarded the Heat, a highly respected organization with a winning track record. It's plausible to imagine the Warriors and Butler parting in a similar fashion.

Still, the Warriors' signing Butler to the massive extension he wanted with Miami should help him regain the joy he missed while playing for the Eastern Conference franchise during the 2024-25 season. 

Another positive for Butler on the Warriors points at his ball-handling skills. Although he's not the same explosive player, he can help Curry focus more on his signature off-ball destruction. 

Teams double-teaming Curry shouldn't happen as often with Butler on the court, as he's a reliable playmaker for others. Moreover, the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals MVP doesn't need the ball to succeed. Butler allowed Tyler Herro to thrive in Miami, with the Texas native picking up the slack during the fourth quarter. 

Ultimately, the Warriors kept Jonathan Kuminga, protected their first-round pick, and clearly made the trade with Curry's twilight years in mind. The trade has mostly positive aspects, but Butler's two-year $112 million contract could bite them where it hurts, especially if the Warriors don't win anything significant in the next two seasons.