Jimmy Butler‘s ultimate desire might not have come true, but there are positives to look for.
Multiple reports in recent weeks stated loud and clear that Butler’s top choice for his trade destinations was the Phoenix Suns. But as destiny would have it, the 6x All-Star has landed with the Golden State Warriors on a two-year, $121 million deal. Now, considering Jimmy’s priority was to find his way out of the Miami Heat, he wouldn’t have minded landing with the Warriors rather than spending the entire remaining season in South Beach. And Magic Johnson, for one, sees this as a win-win situation.
In a post on X, he called Butler’s move to Golden State a near-perfect fit for both sides. “With the addition of Jimmy Butler Golden State becomes a more explosive team.” ‘Buck’ further listed out a three-layered advantage that the veteran forward brings to the GSW.
“Steph gets a running mate that give the Warriors scoring, defense and toughness. The best thing about Butler is that he always takes his game to another level in the Playoffs,” Johnson wrote. Well, no doubts there!
Jimmy Butler going to the Golden State Warriors is an awesome trade for the Warriors and Miami Heat for different reasons. With the addition of Jimmy Butler Golden State becomes a more explosive team and Steph gets a running mate that give the Warriors scoring, defense and…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 6, 2025
Butler’s playoff resume speaks for itself. Since joining Miami in 2019, he delivered some of the most unforgettable postseason performances. A 40-point triple-double in the 2020 Finals. A clutch 47-point outburst in Boston to keep the Heat alive in 2022. And a jaw-dropping 56-point explosion against the Bucks in 2023 had everyone wondering if he had superpowers.
It’s no wonder the nickname ‘Playoff Jimmy’ isn’t just a catchy label—it’s officially recognized on his Wikipedia and Basketball Reference pages.
However, it’s not as if there are no concerning issues for the Warriors with the team landing Butler. Can a 35-year-old Jimmy really push the Warriors over the top? And will he be willing to take a backseat to Stephen Curry after being the leader in Miami for so long?
Adding more intrigue to the situation, Yahoo Sports NBA insider Kevin O’Connor reported that Curry himself had reservations about Butler joining Golden State. Specifically, Curry’s concerns about Butler’s “fit in the Warriors’ locker room” are worth noting. Given his past conflicts with teammates, it’s natural to wonder if this could cause some tension in the Warriors’ chemistry.
And let’s not forget that earlier reports suggested that Butler himself wasn’t too keen on joining the Warriors, which only adds another layer of complexity.
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