Even with Jimmy Butler sidelined for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL, the Golden State Warriors aren’t rushing to make a move that would bring in immediate help before the NBA trade deadline on February 5. Instead, the front office is playing the long game.
Speaking with reporters, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy made it clear: Butler isn’t going anywhere.
“I don't envision that,” Dunleavy said when asked about the possibility of trading Butler. “My vision for him is to give us a boost next year the same way he did last year when he arrived.”
That’s a telling statement. Despite Butler’s injury, the Warriors still see him as a key piece of their future - not a trade chip. And that says a lot about how this front office views both the current roster and the bigger picture.
But that doesn’t mean Golden State is standing pat. Dunleavy left the door open for a potential move involving draft capital - but only if the right opportunity presents itself.
“If we're talking about trading draft picks that will be going out when Steph isn't here, it's going to have to be a player that we think we'll be getting back that is going to be here when those picks are going out,” Dunleavy explained. “That player's going to have to be pretty impactful.
It would take a good amount - positionally, play style, archetype, all that. I would leave it pretty broad and open.
“But if there's a great player to be had, we've got everything in the war chest that we would be willing to use.”
Translation: the Warriors are willing to swing big - but only if the return is worth the long-term cost. That’s not just about adding a body to fill in for Butler. It’s about finding someone who can help now and fit into the post-Steph Curry era, whenever that arrives.
Butler’s absence is no small thing. He was averaging 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game - the kind of all-around production that’s tough to replace, especially in the thick of a playoff push. And make no mistake, the Western Conference is a minefield this season.
The Warriors have been playing inspired basketball in January, winning seven of their last 10 games. But sustaining that momentum without Butler is going to be a serious test. His two-way presence, leadership, and late-game shot-making are all elements that don’t show up in the box score - and will be sorely missed.
So what now?
Golden State could still make a move before the deadline, especially if the right deal comes along. But it’s clear they’re not going to mortgage the future just to patch a hole in the present. They’re looking for a fit - someone who can complement their core now and grow with the team moving forward.
In the meantime, the Warriors will lean even more on Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and the rest of the veteran group to keep them in the hunt. And if a trade does materialize, it’ll be one that aligns with the franchise’s long-term vision - not just a short-term fix.
Butler may be out for the season, but the Warriors are still thinking like a team with championship aspirations - not just this year, but beyond.