Back in mid-January, Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler was posting pretty good numbers. He appeared in 38 games, and averaged 20.0 points on 51.9% shooting, and was making a healthy 37.6% from the 3-point line. He added 5.5 rebounds and 4.9 assists, reasonable numbers for a veteran star, and the Warriors were 23-15 when he played.
Then came the ACL tear he suffered on January 19 in a win over Miami, an injury that ended his season and began a string of debilitating misfortunes that included knee injuries to Stephen Curry and Moses Moody. The Warriors were 25-19 on the night Butler got hurt, just 1.5 games out of a Top 6 seed and a playoff spot in the West.
In all, Golden State was 14-30 when Butler did not play in 2025-26. That was compounded by the other injuries suffered last year, but the fact is, it’s hard to pin too much of what went wrong for the Dubs on Butler’s performance.
Warriors’ Jimmy Butler ‘Overpaid’
Still, at $57 million for the upcoming season, it’s also hard to justify what the Warriors will be paying a guy who figures to miss at least the first two-and-a-half months of the year. At best, Butler could return around New Year’s Eve, but it’s more likely to be deeper into January that he finally suits up.
For that reason, the folks at Bleacher Report are tabbing Butler as the most overpaid small forward in the NBA this season. That’s probably a bit unfair given the fact that Butler had little control over his injury and probably would still be effective if he was 100%. But it’s a cold world out there.
Jimmy Butler Will Turn 37 as He Rehabs
Here’s what B/R’s Grant Hughes had to say of the Warriors’ wildcard star and his spot among the most overpaid in the league:
“This is mostly a technicality, as Butler underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL on Feb. 9, 2026 and therefore figures to miss half of the upcoming season.
“Considering he’ll be 37 before the campaign even starts, it’s hard to imagine that shelf-time estimate is on the low end, and it’s also tough to envision him sustaining the level of play he showed last year.”
Warriors Future in Question
To be fair to Butler, he will push through his rehab as aggressively as possible. He has incentive, because he could sign an extension with the team in the second half of next season, and he needs to show the Warriors he is still a worthy investment. Or, if Golden State decides to part ways with him, he needs to show the rest of the NBA they should pay him in 2027 free agency.
He has said the rehab process has not been easy.
“Tough. Not being around my guys is hard. Not being able to play the game that I love. Not being able to travel. It’s tough, but the rehab has been going. We’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing to try and get back on the timeline that we talked about getting back on,” Butler said.
Like HEAVY’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on HEAVY
The post Warriors’ Jimmy Butler Hit With Harsh Label Amid ACL Rehab appeared first on HEAVY.