Jimmy Butler is already looking past the rehab grind and straight toward game action.
The Warriors forward, still working his way back from a torn right ACL suffered in January, said he wants his first competitive reps to come with the Santa Cruz Warriors before he returns to Golden State’s lineup. In an exclusive interview with Nick Friedell of The Athletic, Butler made it plain that he plans to take the floor in the G League.
“I’m definitely coming down there to play. So good luck to everybody,” Butler said.
“I’m definitely going down there. I want to hoop.”
Butler, 37, is targeting a return during the 2026-27 season, and his comments show how much he wants to get back into real basketball after months away. A stint in Santa Cruz would give him live game action before he jumps back into NBA competition, though it would still need approval from Golden State’s medical staff. His comments, as forceful as they were, do not mean the organization has already signed off.
Steve Kerr, though, sounded open to the idea. The Warriors coach welcomed the possibility and suggested Butler would see it as a chance to compete, not a step down.
Butler has stayed connected to the team throughout the recovery process. He recently showed up dressed as a Warriors assistant coach and carried a clipboard to the bench during a win over New Orleans.
Even with that role, it’s clear where Butler would rather be: on the court. His latest remarks leave little doubt about how badly he wants to play again, even if the road back starts in Santa Cruz.
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Warriors Trade Need Suddenly Feels Real After Curry Injury
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Carter has been performing well this season for the Orlando Magic, and the idea of adding a player with a similar profile to Kristaps Porzingis gives the Warriors a clearer sense of the type of move they may be chasing. For now, though, it remains speculative, with any real path forward depending on negotiations between Golden State and Orlando, and on how aggressively the Warriors decide to respond to Currys absence. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Face A New Trade Problem In Porzingis Pursuit
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So the Warriors may have to look elsewhere for a workable path, and that likely means teams dealing with financial pressure rather than teams chasing the lottery. The Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic stand out as possible partners in that kind of framework, but the broader point is clear: this is no longer just about finding a team willing to trade, it is about finding one with the right mix of need and flexibility. [Read more 🡒]
Warriors Suddenly Face A Bigger Stephen Curry Concern Than Expected
Stephen Currys oblique injury has already turned into a much bigger issue for the Warriors than the initial diagnosis suggested. Golden State officially said Curry will be re-evaluated in two weeks after suffering the tear against the Houston Rockets, but the injury is serious enough that he is expected to miss multiple games and could be sidelined until December.
Draymond Green added to the concern by saying he doubts Curry will be ready once that first two-week window closes, which only sharpens the uncertainty around Golden States early-season outlook. For a team that leans so heavily on Currys presence to steady everything from the offense to the locker room, the next update may matter even more than the first one. [Read more 🡒]