At long last, Jimmy Butler has found a new NBA team.
The six-time All-Star was dealt to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night in a four-team trade that sent Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and a first-round pick to the Miami Heat.
The trade marks the end of a months-long saga during which Butler was suspended multiple times by Miami for conduct detrimental to the team and refusing to play after being removed from the starting lineup.
Immediately following the trade, Butler signed a two-year, $121 million deal with Golden State to keep him in the bay until 2026/27.
So when is Butler, who has played just five games since December 20, going to make his Warriors debut?
It won’t be on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, who are still awaiting the debut of their own blockbuster trade acquisition in Luka Doncic.
The trade is final, but Butler still isn’t expected to travel with his new team to face Los Angeles, and the acquisition is yet to be announced by the Warriors ahead of Thursday’s deadline.
With Thursday night coming too soon, let’s look ahead to when Butler could debut for the Warriors.
Golden State Warriors upcoming schedule
Date | Opponent |
Thursday, February 6 | @ LA Lakers |
Saturday, February 8 | @ CHI Bulls |
Monday, February 10 | @ MIL Bucks |
Wednesday, February 12 | @ DAL Mavericks |
Thursday, February 13 | @ HOU Rockets |
Butler, who is “in shape” and “healthy,” per NBA insider Chris Haynes, could debut for the Warriors against his former team the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, February 8. Butler spent his first six years in the NBA with Chicago before moves to Minnesota, Philadelphia and Miami.
When Butler is on the court, there is no denying he is one of the best two-way players in the league, even at the age of 35. A motivated Butler can be a catalyst for a deep playoff run, as we saw when the 8-seed Miami Heat reached the NBA Finals in 2023, where they fell to the Denver Nuggets.
Now set to team up with four-time NBA champions Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in Golden State, Butler and the Warriors have fresh life in what was becoming a downward spiraling season.
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