Initially, it appeared the Golden State Warriors would move forward with their current roster.
However, on Thursday, the franchise acquired Miami Heat standout wing Jimmy Butler in a multi-team deal involving the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons.
The Warriors received Butler; the Heat received P.J. Tucker, Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and a 2025 first-round pick; the Jazz received Dennis Schröder (recently acquired by Detroit); and the Pistons received Lindy Waters III and Josh Richardson.
While the Warriors finally silenced their doubters by landing an established superstar to assist Stephen Curry, a popular sports analyst doesn’t believe the franchise improved after the trade.
“No more dangerous than they were yesterday,” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said on First Take Thursday when asked about the Warriors’ status after the trade.
“That’s no knock on Jimmy Butler, but what we’re not going to do today is call this a mega-deal. The fact of the matter is if Jimmy Butler had ended up in Phoenix (Suns) with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, that would have been a mega-deal.”
“But him being in Golden State, you have to understand something, we’re accustomed to seeing Steph Curry with Klay Thompson. Jimmy Butler is not a Klay Thompson type of player. He’s big-time, he will produce, his numbers go up every series in the playoffs.”
“I’m just saying in terms of this system, who he’s playing with, the personnel surrounding Jimmy, no, this is not a mega deal. This is something that’s gotten the Golden State Warriors about $19.3 million under the luxury tax; it’s saving them money, and it’s a business deal.”
Butler, averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, is a physically imposing two-way contributor with proven playoff success.
From drilling pivotal mid-range jumpers in clutch moments to regularly accepting daunting defensive assignments, Butler ensures he impacts contests on both ends.
Still, Smith is spot on with his assessment of the Warriors’ trade for the six-time All-Star.
Thompson, who won four championships with the Warriors, succeeded offensively in the Bay as a prolific long-range shooter who utilized pindown, double, and stagger screens to create space on the perimeter.
The Washington product also solidified himself as a premier on-ball defender, but he made the bulk of his money terrorizing opponents from beyond the arc.
Butler is unquestionably a capable long-range shooter, but he isn’t productive enough to thrive with an organization that attempts the third-most three-point jumpers in the NBA.
Butler is shooting 33.0% from deep for his career.
On the bright side, the Warriors possess the offensive firepower necessary to avoid missing the Play-In Tournament this season.
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