Miami’s streets fade into the distance. The Bay Area hums with anticipation, a new chapter begins. Not just any transfer, but, one to remember. One that could shake the league. No, it’s not Klay to Steph. But, Jimmy Butler to Stephen Curry. To Draymond Green. To Steve Kerr. A new force, straight from Florida. And a pairing that could be colossal. The Warriors are healing, shedding the weight of the past. Letting go of the emptiness left by The Captain. Now, they embrace change. A new spark. A fresh fight. The Wild West just got wilder.
Wednesday, February 5. A day San Francisco won’t forget. The Warriors made a move—bold, bittersweet, and inevitable. Jimmy Butler was coming. A two-year, $121 million deal, sealed and waiting. But every arrival comes with a departure. The price? Andrew Wiggins. The news hit hard.
The locker room fell silent. Steve Kerr, eyes glistening, knew what it meant. Wiggs was more than a player—he was family. Loved by his coach. Revered by the franchise. Respected by his teammates. Yet, the front office had little choice. The numbers didn’t bend and the future demanded sacrifice. And so, the Warriors turned the page. But, three days later, the team has already begun showing signs of moving on.
Jimmy Butler’s arrival has been like a pain reliever for the Dubs
Well, let’s just say, the team has a fresh vibe and altered energies, all thanks to the 6x All-Star. On Saturday, he debuted in his jersey No.10, against the Chicago Bulls. It was a game that screamed “TYPICAL JIMMY BUTLER.” He was fierce, chasing scores, taking and making risky passes, and hitting dunks like he always does. However, Butler looked flushed and a bit tired after his first 25-point game for his new home.
The NBA insiders Anthony Slater, Tim Kawakami, and Marcus Thompson had stories to tell about the Warriors and their changes since Jimmy Butler’s arrival. On the Warriors Plus Minus podcast, they said: “Jimmy Butler looked tired. He looked hot, he had moments where he was gassed and he was very conservative early. He was passing on matchups. And This wasn’t even like the full-throttle Jimmy Butler.” Meanwhile, it was Stephen Curry who was happy. Why? He might have just found his missing pair in Jimmy. “The most important thing is my goodness, did Stephen Curry look zealous? He looked like he was energized. His shots were better.”
Simply put, the Baby-Faced Assassin’s relief was reflected in his game at the United Center on Saturday. Steph had been quite vocal about what he wanted the front office to do in the trading period. No desperate moves, he had suggested. And well, this whole, Jimmy Butler thing, may not be desperate, but a rather smart, well-calculated move, Mike Dunleavy Jr. pulled off. And what could be more surprising than watching Draymond Green, admit his on-court mistakes?! What?
Feb 8, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (44) defends Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler (10) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
To begin with, Draymond missed one of Jimmy’s passes. It could’ve been a scoring pass, however, the Warriors’ veteran missed and Butler was furious. “Jimmy was mad that he didn’t catch it,” Slater, who was by the tunnel and got a perfect view shared. “It was funny…Draymond’s all ‘My bad, my bad’ and Jimmy’s like ‘No’ as he kept on.” That’s surely the most unlikely of situations you’re ever going to witness. But Butler? He’s bringing some rhythm to the Dubs, he was telling Green, “I don’t want you to think that you can’t throw that pass.” Moreover, the 35-year-old forward is the kind of star, who’d push the team into taking risky passes and turnovers.
On the other hand, the Warriors HC, Steve Kerr is back to his usual self after an emotional episode following Wiggs’ trade on Wednesday. It took him a few days to get accustomed to the fact that Jimmy Butler is on the team now. And after the first game, his previous notion of a “crisis of confidence” and that the team isn’t built to win championships anymore, seems to be fading. After Butler’s debut game, the head coach expressed his excitement. Slater said: “Steve was like, ‘Yeah, this is what he called it. He said that was pretty fun. Pretty good.”
There is no denying that Jimmy Butler‘s first game was a big sign of optimism for the franchise and the fans. He is bringing back the lost energy, he bringing new hope. But, the star has to remain a good player till the end of his contract and play at the highest level. And if he can do so, then, knowing him to be the M. Playoffs of the NBA, Jimmy Buckets could help the Golden State Warriors make it to the playoffs this season. Besides, he’s getting some extra facilities, which Pat Riley and Co. didn’t let him enjoy in Miami.
Jimmy Butler’s new side in the Bay Area
Jimmy Butler was all smiles postgame. Talkative, animated, and in high spirits. His teammates felt it, especially Kuminga, who seemed to be gravitating toward him. The locker room buzzed with energy. Meanwhile, a few Chicago media members stopped by, greeting him like an old friend. After all, this city was once his home.
But Jimmy is still Jimmy—unapologetically unique. Next to his locker, a candle flickered. “He’s quirky,” as always. He arrived at 3:30 p.m. for a 7 p.m. game, and “he always drives separately.” In Miami, that became “an issue.” But here? It’s just part of the Jimmy Butler experience.
So, keeping his unique style alive and revamped, Butler is shifting the air in the Golden State Warriors. He’s the new beacon of hope in a season that simply felt like a massive downfall. Surely, there are going to be games where he won’t be his best. However, looking at the vibes within the squad and among the fans, it’s clear there is joy everywhere.
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