The Golden State Warriors had been doing nothing greater than barely treading water over the primary half of this season, and it seemed like there was an actual likelihood they’d miss the playoffs for the second yr in a row.
However almost a month in the past, they swung a giant commerce for veteran star ahead Jimmy Butler, and he appears to have revitalized a franchise that has been in regular decline since profitable its most up-to-date NBA championship in 2022.
Golden State has received eight of their final 10 video games, they usually have risen to sixth place within the Western Convention, regardless that Butler hasn’t been placing up huge numbers.
It led Chris Broussard to boldly proclaim on Fox Sports activities 1’s “First Issues First” that they’ve change into legit contenders as a result of he feels Butler is a perfect match due to his mid-range sport.
“Jimmy Butler is ideal for them,” Broussard mentioned.
.@Chris_Broussard is shopping for the Warriors as legit contenders within the West 👀
“Jimmy Butler is ideal for them.” pic.twitter.com/g4bJknDu1T
— First Issues First (@FTFonFS1) March 4, 2025
Butler has given the Warriors that professional second star they haven’t had ever since Klay Thompson, who left to hitch the Dallas Mavericks final summer season, suffered a torn ACL and torn Achilles just a few years in the past.
The six-time All-Star is averaging a modest 16.0 factors a sport and taking pictures simply 43.3 % from the sector along with his new workforce, however he has seemingly energized Stephen Curry, whose numbers had been beneath par on the time of the commerce.
Curry has put up 29.5 factors a sport and is taking pictures 50.8 % general and 41.9 % from 3-point land in his final 10 video games, and he’s beginning to appear like his previous self once more.
Playoff positioning, nonetheless, goes to harm Golden State — they sit in sixth place within the Western Convention and are 4 video games behind the fifth-place Houston Rockets — which suggests they may have a steep uphill climb within the playoffs.
Maybe their actual potential with Butler received’t be seen till subsequent season once they have a full coaching camp with him, to not point out a full offseason so as to add some reinforcements.
NEXT: Warriors Have Been Dominating Since Buying and selling For Jimmy Butler
