After missing out on acquiring All-Stars Paul George and Lauri Markkanen earlier this offseason, the Golden State Warriors are still actively seeking a major player to complement their franchise star, Stephen Curry.
Among the top names on their radar for the next six months is Jimmy Butler, given the uncertainty surrounding his contract with the Miami Heat. At 34 years old, Butler is eligible for an extension and could become an unrestricted free agent if he chooses to decline his player option for the 2025-26 season.
A recent update on Butler could improve the Warriors’ chances of acquiring the All-Star forward. According to Brian Lewis of the New York Post, Butler has expressed a liking for Brooklyn, despite the team’s current rebuilding phase. Lewis notes, “Butler isn’t just open to Brooklyn, but fond of it. He’s not a Net at the moment, and he might never be, but dismissing the possibility outright is unwise.”
Butler might be considering leaving the Heat after five years and two NBA Finals appearances. If he is indeed contemplating a move, it could present an opportunity for Golden State to acquire the co-star they’ve been seeking for Curry.
The Warriors had already been linked to Butler in late May, with Anthony Slater of The Athletic suggesting him as a potential target following Miami’s first-round playoff loss to the Boston Celtics. Butler missed the entire series due to injury and has not played more than 65 games in a season since 2016-17. Last season, he averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, with shooting percentages of 49.9% from the field and a career-high 41.4% from beyond the arc.
Acquiring Butler would be challenging due to his $48.8 million contract for the upcoming season. The Warriors would also need to offer a significant extension to mitigate the risk of him leaving for Brooklyn or another team in free agency.
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