Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry is excited about the team’s recent acquisition of Jimmy Butler. “The biggest thing is just it creates expectations, which I love,” Curry said, reflecting on the shift in dynamic with Butler now in the mix. “I want to be in that kind of environment, whether you get it done or not, that is meaningful basketball that we all love and thrive in.”
The Warriors are currently sitting at 11th in the Western Conference with a 25-25 record, making the move for Butler a crucial step in their pursuit of a playoff spot. The addition of the five-time NBA All-Star is expected to bolster Golden State’s chances of climbing higher in the standings.
Butler’s arrival in the Bay Area was made official when the Warriors secured a two-year, $121 million contract extension with the forward, who had requested a trade back in December. As part of the agreement, Butler declined his player option for the 2025-26 season, ensuring his presence in Golden State for the foreseeable future.
The Warriors made significant sacrifices to land Butler, sending away key players Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson, Lindy Waters III, and a protected first-round draft pick. The pick, which is top-10 protected in 2025 and 2026, will become fully unprotected in 2027 if not conveyed.
In a series of trades surrounding Butler’s arrival, Schroder was moved to the Utah Jazz, while veteran forward PJ Tucker joined the Miami Heat from Utah. Meanwhile, Josh Richardson and Waters were shipped off to the Detroit Pistons.
Butler had initially set his sights on joining the Phoenix Suns. However, after weeks of failed negotiations involving the potential trade of Bradley Beal to Miami, Phoenix was unable to finalize the deal. This opened the door for Golden State, which had also considered reacquiring Kevin Durant but ultimately dropped discussions when Durant showed no interest in leaving Phoenix.
The move has sparked excitement among the Warriors’ roster, particularly Curry, who is eager to compete in a high-expectation environment. “We’re all going to be up for the challenge,” he said. Curry’s leadership and Butler’s tenacity could be the combination Golden State needs to improve their position in the West.
