The Golden State Warriors made a bold move by acquiring Jimmy Butler in a blockbuster trade. Now, according to Draymond Green, it’s up to the players to prove it was the right decision.
As part of the deal, the Warriors traded Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson, Lindy Waters III, and a top-10-protected first-round pick to land Butler. In addition, the team signed Butler to a two-year, $113 million contract extension.
With a 25-26 record, Golden State needed a boost, and Butler is expected to bring just that when he makes his debut on Saturday. Draymond Green praised general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. for taking action but stressed that success now depends on the players:
“(Dunleavy) made a move to help us. It’s on us to make him right,” Green said.
Butler arrives in Golden State with a strong winning mindset, having led the Miami Heat to two NBA Finals appearances, though he has yet to win a championship. He is determined to change that with the Warriors—his fifth NBA team.
“I would like to say that I am a winner,” Butler stated at his introductory press conference. “I haven’t won ‘it’ but I would like to call myself a winner. I do want to win ‘it’—it being a championship.”
The Warriors have been struggling, losing three of their last four games, including a 120-112 defeat against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.
So far this season, Butler has averaged 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists.
