An uncertain future faces the Golden State Warriors after they were eliminated in the NBA Play-In Tournament by the Phoenix Suns. There are questions about Steve Kerr and Draymond Green’s future with the franchise, and Jimmy Butler might as well be included in that list.
Butler is expected to be sideline for a large chunk of next season after suffering a torn ACL in January, and there has been some speculation that the Warriors could try to trade him in order to upgrade the roster around Steph Curry while he’s still an impact player. The Warriors have a limited window with Curry, and they might not want to sit around and wait for Butler to get healthy, or so the line of thinking goes.
Warriors Have Indicated to Jimmy Butler That He Is Part of Their Plans
But behind the scenes, the Warriors have made it clear to Butler that he’s a piece of the puzzle for the franchise moving forward, according to Nick Friedell and Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic. However, their commitment to him is likely to be tested over the offseason.
“Since before February’s trade deadline, the Warriors, according to a league source, have made it clear to Butler that he is part of their plans. But as the summer plays out, that will likely be tested as the Warriors try to improve their roster,” Friedell and Thompson wrote.
“Are they willing to wait for Butler’s rehab? Do they trust he will be close to the same player whenever he returns? … The market for Butler won’t figure to sizzle, since he’ll be coming off an ACL injury. But he could have value as a huge expiring contract.”
Butler has just one year remaining on his current contract worth almost $57 million. He’ll become an unrestricted free agent next summer. So, if the Warriors don’t try to trade Butler this offseason, they run the risk of losing him for nothing in free agency next offseason. Though it is fair to wonder what type of value Butler would even have on the trade market at this point in time given his age (37) and the knee injury.
Warriors Have a Looming Decision Regarding Jimmy Butler
There’s no easy option here for the Warriors. In fact, the looming decision they’ll have to make regarding Butler was referred to as “ugly” by one NBA executive.
“It would be hard for them to get anything significant back onto the roster the way it is constructed without trading out Jimmy Butler,” the executive said. “… And the guy has been a very good team player for them. He has been good on the court, really good off the court. So to trade him while he is rehabbing from an ACL? Obviously, that is a little bit ugly. No one wants to do that to a player.”
Butler’s future in Golden State doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s tied to what the Warriors decide to do regarding Kerr, Green and even Steph Curry. Buckle up, Warriors fans. It’s going to be an interesting offseason.
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