The Golden State Warriors are evaluating their roster options following Jimmy Butler’s torn right ACL, but a trade involving Butler is not expected.
General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. said the team remains open to different possibilities, though he anticipates Butler playing a key role again once healthy.
“I don’t envision that, but now that you’ve brought it up, I guess I’d say what I envision for him is kind of give us a boost next year the same way he did last year when he arrived,” Dunleavy said when asked if the team would consider trading Butler.
“And so, at some point during (next) season he’ll be returning.”
Golden State has taken a different approach in past injury situations. Last season, after De’Anthony Melton tore his ACL, the Warriors traded him for Dennis Schroder, who was later included in the deal that brought Butler to the team.
That scenario differed because Melton was on a one-year contract and eventually returned in free agency.
Butler, by contrast, is owed $54.1 million this season and has a fully guaranteed $56.8 million salary for next year, reinforcing the expectation that he remains part of the Warriors’ long-term plans despite the injury.
