Warriors remain all-in on Jimmy Butler

The Golden State Warriors made very few moves this summer, largely running back to the team that won 37 games last season. That's because they're banking on a mid-season addition who is already on their roster.

Jimmy Butler is planning to return to the Warriors in January or February after tearing his ACL in Feb. 2026. Planning for his eventual return is what ultimately kept the Warriors from making any blockbuster deals this summer.

Golden State Warriors were unwilling to trade Jimmy Butler this summer

According to ESPN, the Warriors weren't willing to include Butler and his expiring $56.8M contract in deals from Anthony Davis or Jaylen Brown. The Boston Celtics eventually traded Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for picks and Paul George, whose large contract runs for one more season than Butler.

The team reportedly shut down trade talks for any deals involving Butler that didn't bring back an All-NBA player like Davis or Brown, choosing to gamble that having a rehabilitated Butler for the season's final two months is more valuable than any of their trade alternatives. There's hope that adding Butler and Moses Moody, recovering from a ruptured patella, can make the Warriors a dangerous playoff team again.

It's a big risk to rely on two players coming back from serious knee injuries, especially when Butler is 37 years old. However, after their failed pursuit of LeBron James left the Warriors with precious few options, it may be the only strategy left to them.

Golden State Warriors value Jimmy Butler's expiring deal

While the Warriors clearly love how Butler's tough defense, low turnovers and ability to get to the free throw line complement Steph Curry, they've also been wary of long-term commitments. Even after giving Curry a big extenson, Golden State could have around $60M in salary cap space next summer thanks to a plethora of expiring deals.

That may be why the team was in no hurry to deal Butler. Unless the trade return is for a true game-changer, the Warriors are happy to roll the dice with Butler and see what they can do with their financial flexibility in the summer. The team discussed trading Butler or Draymond Green to get Giannis Antetokounmpo after Butler's injury, but made no offers for anyone who was not a two-time NBA MVP.

It's risky in a basketball sense to wait for Butler to get healthy. In a financial sense, it's quite conservative. The Warriors want to have a competitive team along with cap space next year. If they are going to pull off that balancing act, it all depends on the health of Butler's knee.