Jimmy Butler Trade to Warriors Excites NBA Fans as Curry Gets Help for Title Pursuit

Featured Columnist IVFebruary 6, 2025

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 27: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat is guarded by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors 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 Jimmy Butler saga is finally, and mercifully, over.

The Miami Heat have traded him to the Golden State Warriors as part of a five-team deal, with the Warriors giving up Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schröder, Lindy Waters III, Kyle Anderson and a protected first-round pick, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

NBA Retweet @RTNBA
FULL FIVE-TEAM TRADE 🤯 Warriors • Jimmy Butler Heat • Andrew Wiggins • PJ Tucker • protected first-round pick Pistons • Lindy Waters • Josh Richardson Jazz • Dennis Schroder Raptors • Kyle Anderson per <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShamsCharania</a> <a href="https://t.co/97zvwRaDQt">pic.twitter.com/97zvwRaDQt</a>

Anthony Slater @anthonyVslater
The Warriors sent a 2025 top-10 protected first rounder to the Heat as part of the Jimmy Butler trade, per sources. If it doesn't convey this season (it likely will), it turns into a top-10 protected first rounder next season.

Butler also landed a lucrative contract extension as part of the arrangement, per Shams:

Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
New Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler has agreed to a new two-year, $121 million extension with the franchise through 2026-27, sources tell me and <a href="https://twitter.com/WindhorstESPN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WindhorstESPN</a>. Butler is declining his 2025-26 player option for this new $121M deal.

And so ends what had become an epic, and tiresome, showdown between the Heat and Butler that included fines, indefinite suspensions and enough trade rumors to last a lifetime.

But now Butler will be joining Stephen Curry and Draymond Green as the Dubs look to resurrect their title hopes, with social media offering a wide array of responses to the blockbuster deal:

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport
JIMMY BUTLER'S TIME IN MIAMI COMES TO AN END 😳 Shams knew he wanted out all along 😅 <a href="https://t.co/aR1jhgMzQh">pic.twitter.com/aR1jhgMzQh</a>

Steve Jones Jr. @stevejones20
Well, the Warriors got Jimmy. Him as a screener, cutter, post player will be interesting. Wonder how the usage goes but I get the swing. Miami has some added depth, I think those guys fit what Miami likes to do. <a href="https://t.co/gMAsWAuixJ">https://t.co/gMAsWAuixJ</a>

Josiah Johnson @KingJosiah54
Warriors before the Jimmy Butler trade vs Warriors after the Jimmy Butler trade <a href="https://t.co/RqVmosi8Md">pic.twitter.com/RqVmosi8Md</a>

Ty Hill @cheetah
Jimmy to the warriors I like this

Art Stapleton @art_stapleton
I don't have an NFL comp for the Jimmy Butler trade, and I really don't have an in-depth idea of what Golden State's roster looks like, but I know this: Trying to close out Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler late in close playoff games is not going to be easy for anyone.

Tom Fornelli @TomFornelli
Jimmy Butler told his boss he didn't want to work there anymore so they gave him six weeks paid vacation and then sent him to a new company that gave him $121 million. Jimmy Butler is the American Dream.

Jon Krawczynski @JonKrawczynski
It is fairly amazing that Jimmy pulled all of this off.

Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
And Jimmy wins …

Kevin Cruz @Chef_Cruz2K
Warriors still probably one or two moves away from any serious playoff discussion. I just dont like the roster's fit right now, especially when Kuminga returns. Maybe not yet done?

Sramirez @SEBASTI98352775
Warriors finally got a number 2

410🤝🏾 @410__mya
Jimmy butler to the warriors kinda tough

Tim Bartholomew @tim_bartholomew
The Butler trade is the right move for the Warriors. At least gives them a chance the next 2 years. But sad to see Wiggins go. He was having a good season and will always be a Warriors favorite after the 22 championship.

The Warriors are a fascinating team.

On the one hand, they desperately needed a true No. 2 option on offense behind Curry, and Butler is more than capable of scratching that itch. He'll provide solid secondary playmaking and defense, and his experience in the playoffs—and his shot-making in the clutch—will make the Warriors dangerous in late-game scenarios, given Curry's proficiency in those moments as well.

But there are some potential fit issues. Green has traditionally been the secondary playmaker for this offense, a role that should shift more to Butler. There are also some floor-spacing concerns, given that Butler isn't a natural catch-and-shoot player, and Green's issues from the perimeter are well known. And both Butler and Green are fiery personalities, so there are some vibe questions to be answered as well.

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But the Warriors needed to take a gamble with Curry's prime years dwindling, and Butler is an improvement over the players they gave up. Whether it's enough to catapult the team into contender status remains to be seen.