Five things to remember:
Miami removes a significant distraction, while Golden State acquires a superstar to team up with Steph and Draymond in their current victory quest.
The drama is done. Jimmy Butler’s turbulent season in Miami is no exception.
Butler grew upset about not getting a contract deal a month ago, and the Heat allegedly transferred him to the Warriors on Wednesday in exchange for a package of players and selections. Due of this, the Heat had to put him on the bench for many suspensions before putting him on the block.
During the post-Big Three Era with Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James, Butler was the focal point of the Heat. But it ended badly, and the only way out was to get a divorce.
The Heat had time to find a suitor for Butler before the trade deadline, which was set for Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.
Here are five things to remember about the deal and its implications:
1. The Warriors make a valiant effort to preserve Stephen Curry’s best years:
The success of a generational player spoilt them. He had a restless coach. And there were no more alternatives.
Because Butler had a wealth of crucial and memorable moments from his postseason career—postseason Jimmy and all that—the Warriors decided to take a chance on him.
If nothing else, if Butler can continue that magic with the Warriors, it will give Curry’s midlife crisis more significance. Curry wants to win without moving out of town or changing teams. Therefore, it made sense for the Warriors to take action since, according to the notion, any risk is worthwhile as long as they had Curry. Anything is possible if you make it to the playoffs.
Additionally, coach Steve Kerr now has two postseason talents who he can rely on. Due in large part to Butler’s lack of a strong co-star, he assisted two otherwise unremarkable Miami teams in making it to the NBA Finals but missing out on a title both times. Curry has also won four titles.
The problem is that both are becoming older. Curry is now experiencing a season that is below his expectations, particularly in terms of efficiency. Concerns about Butler’s health are ongoing. With an assist from Jonathan Kuminga, can they overcome those problems and make a run in the playoffs, assuming they make it?
2. Butler’s resilience is comparable to Draymond’s Draymond:
Green no longer has to carry the burden alone. In terms of mental and physical toughness, he now has his twin.
Butler enjoys taking up the responsibility of leading his team and defending the other team’s top scorer. He served as Miami’s spiritual leader, both orally when needed and by example. That final statement, in which Butler asserted that he would have made the difference in the playoffs last spring had he been healthy, is really what caused him to leave. Pat Riley said, “You shouldn’t say if you don’t play.”
This raises the question of whether Kerr, who is already occupied with Draymond, can manage another star who could require a lot of upkeep.
3. Is this a financial risk?
A total of $121 million over two years? That’s the price of doing business with Butler, who turned down the rumoured deal in favour of his 2025–2026 player option. And that’s a lot of money to pay someone who will only have played 67 or more games in his career (not including abbreviated seasons) and will be 36 when the following season starts.
The Warriors will effectively be tied into this core for the next two years, depending on what they can (or cannot) accomplish to replenish the depth they lost in the trade.
Once more, the Warriors will be headed by three guys who have a lot of experience: Draymond, Curry, and Butler. Furthermore, the Western Conference’s competitiveness is intolerable.
4. How did the Wizards affect this trade?
A couple years back, the Wizards offered Bradley Beal a no-trade provision in addition to a maximum deal, thereby guaranteeing Butler’s voyage from Miami to Golden State. It was unthinkable back then, and it is unthinkable now.
As you are aware, Beal joined the Suns in their effort to assemble a Big Three. The club must win or immediately cut the losses because certain formations are now almost difficult to implement due to the updated salary cap regulations.
With his no-trade, Beal had the last word in all transactions once the Suns failed in their attempt to win. Because Miami didn’t want Beal, it was too difficult to include a third club in any trade.
It made it impossible for the Suns to get Butler, who desired Phoenix. Fortunately for him, he was able to get the money he desired from another organisation. No such luck for the Suns.
5. Does it benefit the Heat?
What’s the nicest thing about this Miami deal? Butler is no longer present to create any further commotion. The club that doesn’t get the top player seldom “wins,” as is customary in any multiple-player agreement.
From a talent perspective, Miami is in this case a wait-and-see. Kyle Anderson can fit into any scheme, Andrew Wiggins is a good defender and younger, and who knows what the protected selection will do.
Will any of those help Miami, like Butler, make it to the conference finals four times?
Removing a player from the roster who no longer want to be there is, for the time being, the best return when evaluating the trade. Subtraction via addition.
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