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Jimmy Butler Trade Rumors: Warriors' Steph Curry, Kerr Worried About Personality Fit

Doric SamJanuary 30, 2025

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors is guarded by Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat at Chase Center on October 27, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The Golden State Warriors haven't been very aggressive in trying to trade for Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler, and one insider suggested that head coach Steve Kerr and star point guard Stephen Curry are the ones hindering a potential deal.

Basketball analyst Kevin O'Connor reported during this week's episode of The Kevin O'Connor Show, "Golden State's indecision about trading for Butler seems to be largely tied to Steph and Kerr's worries about the personality fit there."

Kevin O'Connor @KevinOConnorNBA

Sources: Steph Curry and Steve Kerr have concerns about how Jimmy Butler would fit on the Warriors.<br><br>More details on the latest episode of my podcast: <a href="https://t.co/oEvzkmkwdN">https://t.co/oEvzkmkwdN</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZEzNMajeoV">pic.twitter.com/ZEzNMajeoV</a>

It's not farfetched for Curry and Kerr to wonder about Butler's ability to mesh with the Warriors considering his extensive history. He had contentious endings to his tenures with the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers before landing with the Heat in 2019.

After it initially appeared that Butler was a perfect fit for Miami and the new face of "Heat Culture," he's once again found himself at odds with his team. He was suspended by the Heat for the third time this month after walking out of practice on Monday. His public desire to be traded has rendered him less effective on the court, as his average of 17.0 points per game across his 25 appearances this year is his lowest since his third season in the NBA in 2013-14.

The Warriors undoubtedly could use some improvements amid their inconsistent campaign. Golden State ranks 11th in the Western Conference with a 24-23 record, and Curry is the only player on the team who averages over 20 points.

Still, O'Connor suggested that the Warriors are more likely to hold onto their assets and look to build for the future rather than make a move for Butler.

"It should surprise nobody if the Warriors end up holding onto their pieces, waiting until the summer, hope Kevin Durant wants to head back to the Bay Area or some other star wants to go there, and they bypass the chance to go get Jimmy Butler," O'Connor added.