Open Thread: What the Jimmy Butler trade means to the Golden State Warriors is unclear
The squeaky wheel got the grease
Don’t look now, but the Golden State Warriors have gone into win-now mode…and they are eleventh in the Western Conference standings.
The Spurs, currently two games behind the Warriors and twelfth in the standings, picked up De’Aaron Fox — a young, lightning quick guard as well as a 2023 All-Star, 2023 Clutch Player of the Year, and the 2024 NBA steals leader.
In contrast, the Warriors picked up Jimmy Butler, a thirty-five-year-old small forward with a penchant for being the center of attention and leaving carnage in his wake.
While the Spurs are looking long term and planning their future, the Warriors have moved into DEFCON 3 (being forced into 4 with the departure of Klay Thompson last summer).
Truly the end of a dynasty, two-time league MVP Steph Curry, arguably the greatest shooter the game has ever known, is heading into his twilight years (as far as basketball is concerned). Why exactly are they bringing Jimmy Butler, who averages 17 points per game, his lowest in over a decade, remains unclear.
Butler is aggressive on the defensive end and can make a difference in clutch time. But Butler’s Achille’s Heel is his need to be the best player on a team. He must be the center of attention.
Seeing how Butler handles taking a backseat to Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, also in his mid-thirties, remains to be seen.
One thing to note, Andrew Wiggins was playing the same position as Butler, scoring roughly the same, and was six-years younger. While Wiggins was not the two-way player Butler is, he also isn’t as outspoken when things don’t go his way.
Whether this is best chance the Warriors have to make a title run remains to be seen, but considering Kevin Durant wasn’t interested in a reunion in San Fran, this just may the best the Warriors could get.
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