Since acquiring Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline, the Warriors have been one of the most dominant teams in the NBA. It was clear that this Golden State team was not in a position to add any more rings to their collection. Something had to happen for Steph Curry and Draymond Green to have a chance to win another championship.
Jimmy Butler’s demands to exit Miami would create the opportunity Golden State needed. The Warriors were able to add a high-level player without mortgaging their future and giving up young players like Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, or the currently injured Jonathan Kuminga. Instead, they would give up veterans like Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and Dennis Schröder.
The trade for Butler would provide immediate dividends to a team that seemed to be treading water. The 35-year-old made his debut with the team on Feb. 8 against the Bulls and score 25 points on 7-for-12 shooting in a 132-111 victory.
Overall, Golden State is 6-1 with Butler on the floor and has pushed their record to 31-27. If the Warriors can continue playing at this level and prove they’re not just experiencing a upswing of momentum, they’ll be a dangerous squad for any team they step on the court with and they’ll most likely be the favorites out in the West when it comes to playoff time.