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Jimmy Butler says Warriors move made him ‘extremely happy’ after tough Miami Heat years

Originally posted on HITC | By Luca Rosano | Last updated Oct 11, 2025 10:15 AM ET

Jimmy Butler was traded from the Miami Heat to the Golden State Warriors last season, with Miami receiving Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and a protected first-round pick in return.

Butler’s future in Miami had been in question for a while, and it seemed inevitable that a move would happen. The Warriors took their chance on him to try and make another push for an NBA title.

Butler hit the ground running in Golden State and fit right into their setup. The team looked ready to make a deep playoff run until Stephen Curry got injured, which derailed those hopes.

This time around, though, Butler and the Warriors have a real opportunity to put something together.

Jimmy Butler relieved to be closer to his children, says ‘you think it’s just basketball, but it’s not’

Butler has finally spoken out about how he felt in Miami following his trade months ago. Butler said that being far from his kids, who live in California, made him miserable. Now that he’s with the Warriors, Butler is happier because he can be near them more often.

“The reason I’m extremely happy is because my kids are closer to me now. My kids are in California, so going that long and I wasn’t seeing my kids, I was miserable,” Butler said on ‘7pm in Brooklyn’ with Carmelo Anthony and The Kid Mero.

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“And like, I tell everybody, that’s the part of the game that the outside eye doesn’t see. You think it’s just basketball, but it’s not.”

Jimmy Butler aims for his first NBA Title with Golden State Warriors

Butler believes this Warriors team has what it takes to compete for a title. The Warriors weren’t far off last year, and if Curry hadn’t gone down injured, they might have made a serious push toward the Western Conference Finals.

Butler’s had a full offseason to settle in, and that should only improve his understanding with the rest of the squad. Golden State also made a few important additions late in the summer.

The club added DeAnthony Melton, Al Horford, and Seth Curry, while also giving Jonathan Kuminga a new contract. If the Warriors stay healthy this time around, there’s no reason they shouldn’t be contenders in the West.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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