Steph Curry opened up about his initial reaction to the Golden State Warriors’ blockbuster trade for Jimmy Butler, admitting that it was a whirlwind experience.
“That was a whirlwind of a day. We were about to play Utah, and [there were] rumors, talks, conversations, what-ifs — and then it happened,” Curry said on The Steiny & Guru Show on 95.7 The Game, via NBC Sports.
The Warriors acquired Butler in a five-team trade on February 6, sending Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson, and Lindy Waters III to various teams. While excited about the addition of a six-time All-Star, Curry acknowledged that saying goodbye to his former teammates was difficult.
“So first, you’re upset because you’re losing guys that you went to war with, [Wiggins] especially,” Curry said. “He helped us win a championship, and we saw him flourish for the five years he was here.”
Golden State has thrived since the trade, going 12-1 with Butler in the lineup. The Warriors, now 37-28, have climbed to sixth in the Western Conference standings.
Butler, who declined his player option for the 2025-26 season to sign a two-year, $121 million extension with Golden State, is averaging 17.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in 31.8 minutes per game since the move.
His impact has been immediate, giving the Warriors another playmaker alongside Curry while adding defensive versatility.
Curry emphasized that while change is part of the NBA, the transition can be emotional. “Seeing those guys go who were a big part of [us] earlier in the year, it’s tough,” he said.
The Warriors have their sights set on making a deep playoff run, and Butler’s presence could be a key factor in their championship aspirations.
