Warriors Plan to Trade Jimmy Butler

PUBLISHED Sep 7, 2026, 10:06 AM ET

ESPN Senior NBA Insider Brian Windhorst reported that the Golden State Warriors plan to aggressively pursue a trade involving forward Jimmy Butler ahead of the February 2027 trade deadline. This development follows Butler posting social media footage showing him training at the team facility in a Warriors jersey while stating he would soon meet everyone as he recovers from injury. Butler suffered a right knee anterior cruciate ligament tear on January 19, 2026, against the Miami Heat and underwent surgery on February 9. Last season, he averaged 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists across 38 appearances. Windhorst noted that Butler's expiring contract, worth $56.83 million for the 2026-27 season, serves as a valuable trade asset for acquiring rotation players or another star. Golden State acquired Butler previously in a multi-player transaction, though internal discussions regarding his future have persisted. Team officials have not publicly confirmed the trade strategy, while Butler continues rehabilitating in the Bay Area ahead of a targeted return around early 2027.

By Michael Grant | JQJO News

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