With the NBA trade deadline looming on February 5, the Golden State Warriors are keeping all options on the table - but don’t expect Jimmy Butler to be part of any midseason move. Despite the team’s willingness to explore deals, Butler’s recent season-ending ACL tear has effectively taken him off the market, and the front office isn’t just saying that for show.
General manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. made it clear on Tuesday that the Warriors aren’t looking to move Butler, and there’s solid reasoning behind that stance. For starters, this isn’t a repeat of last season’s De’Anthony Melton situation.
Yes, the Warriors traded Melton after his ACL injury, but he was on a much smaller expiring deal. Butler, on the other hand, is owed over $54 million this season and nearly $57 million in 2026-27 - a massive contract that makes any in-season trade a logistical headache.
But the decision goes beyond the dollars and cents. Since Butler arrived in Golden State, the Warriors have gone 46-22 with him on the floor during regular-season play.
That’s not just a solid record - it’s a clear sign that Butler’s presence moves the needle. The team still believes he can return and make an impact before his current deal runs out, and they’re not ready to give up on that potential.
There’s also a personal layer to this. Dunleavy and Butler go way back - they were teammates in Chicago, and their relationship spans more than a decade.
That kind of familiarity matters, especially when a player is working through a serious injury. Cutting ties now, just as Butler begins the long road back, would be a tough call for any GM, let alone one with that kind of history.
Around the League: Trade Buzz and Roster Moves
Over in Memphis, Ja Morant’s name continues to pop up in trade chatter, but moving him is far from straightforward. Morant remains incredibly popular with the Grizzlies fanbase, and that loyalty carries weight.
If Memphis were to deal their two-time All-Star, they’d need to bring back more than just serviceable veterans. The recent Trae Young trade - where Atlanta received CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert - set a low bar in terms of star return value, and the Grizzlies know they’d have a hard time selling a similar package to their fans.
The challenge? League-wide interest in Morant hasn’t exactly been overwhelming. If Memphis wants a return that includes promising young players or draft capital, they’ll have to work the phones hard - and even then, they may not get what they’re hoping for.
Meanwhile, both the Sixers and Mavericks are eyeing roster upgrades from within. Each team has multiple players on two-way contracts that they’re looking to convert to full-time roster spots before the season wraps up.
In Philadelphia, the front office is expected to find a way to promote both Dominick Barlow and Jabari Walker. The Sixers do have one open spot on their standard roster, but they’re operating in luxury tax territory, which complicates any move.
On top of that, they’re approaching the league-imposed limit of 90 “under-15” games - that’s the cap on how many combined games a team can play with fewer than 15 standard contracts while still using two-way players. Philly’s already at 86, so if they want to keep Barlow and Walker active past this Saturday, they’ll need to act fast.
Dallas is in a similar boat. The Mavericks want to promote both Ryan Nembhard and Moussa Cisse, but they’ve got a full 15-man roster and almost no wiggle room under the second-apron hard cap. It’ll take some maneuvering, but the Mavs clearly see long-term value in both players.
As the deadline nears, teams across the league are juggling injuries, cap constraints, and the ever-present pressure to improve. For contenders and rebuilders alike, the next couple of weeks could define the rest of their season - and maybe a few seasons beyond.