Jimmy Butler’s trade to the Golden State Warriors seems to have rejuvenated the formerly disgruntled star.
As a Warrior, Butler is averaging 20 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists. All of his stats have had a slight increase from his games with the Miami Heat this season.
With his trade to Golden State, the veteran forward is on his 5th team in his turbulent 13-year career.
The Chicago Bulls drafted Butler with the 30th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. As a rookie, Butler did not get much playing time. By 2015, Butler showed a vast improvement, as he won the Most Improved Player Award that year.
With the Bulls, Butler became a 3-time All-Star. Despite this, Chicago decided to move in a different direction and move on from Butler. They would ship him to the Minnesota Timberwolves before the start of the 2017-18 season.
Butler made an immediate impact in Minnesota, as he led the Timberwolves to their first playoff appearance since 2004.
Despite this, Butler was not happy with the Timberwolves. He clashed with several teammates who he felt did not want to win. In an infamous practice, Butler would beat Minnesota’s starting lineup with backup players on his team. Shortly after, Butler would request a trade from the Wolves.
In November 2018, Butler’s trade request was granted and his next stop was with the Philadelphia 76ers. In 55 games for the 76ers, Butler put up 18.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4 assists.
Unfortunately for Butler, the 76ers’ season came to an end in game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Toronto Raptors. Kawhi Leonard hit a game winner that made multiple bounces before going in.
That legendary game 7 bounce sent Butler packing once again. In the 2019 offseason, Butler would sign with Miami. Dwyane Wade personally recruited Butler to South Beach, as he saw him as his successor as the next Miami Heat great.
Butler’s decision to sign with the Heat immediately paid dividends, as he led them to a finals appearance in his first year there. The Heat would come up short against the Los Angeles Lakers, but Butler’s future in south Florida looked bright.
In the 2023 NBA playoffs, Butler would shock the basketball world and lead the 8th seed Heat to yet another finals appearance. Once again, Butler and Miami would come up short against the Denver Nuggets.
The next few years saw Butler grow frustrated with Miami’s front office as they failed to make substantial upgrades to the roster. Tensions reached a high during the 2024-25 season, as the Heat would suspend Butler on multiple occasions.
Butler and his agent made his intentions to get traded loud and clear. In February of this season, Butler was finally traded to the Warriors. Butler wasted no time settling in his new home, as he immediately signed a two-year $121 million extension.
In Golden State, Butler is joining Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, who both know what it takes to win championships.
The Warriors are currently the 9th seed and are fighting for a playoff spot. With the new acquisition of Butler, Golden State may be a team others want to avoid in the first round.
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