The Golden State Warriors wanted one more shot at an NBA championship, which is why they were hesitant to make any major move and brought in several veterans during the summer. The Warriors have been linked to several players this season, and Jonathan Kuminga recently demanded a trade. However, everything has changed with Jimmy Butler‘s season-ending injury. What do the Warriors do now?
Jimmy Butler Injury Changes Everything For Warriors, What Is Next For Dubs?
Butler suffered a right knee injury in the third quarter of yesterday’s 135-113 victory over Miami. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported earlier that an MRI revealed a torn ACL in his right knee and that he will miss the rest of the season.
Butler’s Injury
According to Angela Martin of NBC Sports Bay Area, Butler landed awkwardly on his right knee after being bumped by Davion Mitchell, who attempted to disrupt the pass. Butler, who immediately yelled out in pain, stayed down on the court for a few minutes before being helped off with the assistance of Moses Moody and Gary Payton II.
“Obviously a gut punch on every level for Jimmy and the entire group, but I firmly believe that this is a part of the journey and we can’t only expect to take the good things out of it,” Butler’s agent Bernie Lee wrote in a statement to ESPN’s Anthony Slater. “We’ve watched life happen to countless others, and now it’s his turn to face this. It’s how life works.”
“I’ve known for over 10 years now that Jimmy is going to win a championship before he is done,” Lee continued. “My belief in that is unwavering. We will make some functional decisions here in the next few days, and then we will be on to the next. If you know anything about Jimmy, you know exactly how he will attack this challenge.“
While this injury news is devastating to the Warriors and Butler in terms of this season’s goals, the more concerning part isthat this is not the 36-year-old’s first knee injury. He suffered a meniscus tear in 2018 and an MCL sprain in 2024 in the right knee.
Butler is the second-oldest NBA player to tear his ACL since the start of the 2005-06 season, per Jeff Stotts of InStreet Clothes. Stotts added that Chris Andersen is the oldest to do so at 38, when he tore his ACL during the 2016-17 camapign.
What are the immediate ramifications of Jimmy Butler’s injury?
Golden State had been playing some of its best basketball over the last month. The Warriors’ win over the Heat was their fourth straight and 12th in the previous 16 games. The Warriors sit in eighth place in the Western Conference with a 25-19 record. While the Dubs have a +3.4 scoring margin, the eighth-best in the league, they struggle on the road and against teams with a .500+ record.
Now, the Warriors will be without their second-best player. Butler was the perfect yin to Stephen Curry‘s yang. Butler was having a fantastic season, averaging 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. He was shooting a career-high 51.9% from the field, 37.6% from the 3-point line, and 86.4% from the free throw line.
The Warriors are 2-4 without Butler this year. The Warriors have averaged 106.5 points and allowed 112 points without Butler this year, compared to 118.3 and 113.2 with him. The nearly 12-point difference is due to the Warriors’ lack of creation and their inability to get to the free-throw line. However, Curry played in only one of the games Butler sat out, while Draymond Green appeared in just two.
How Will Warriors Manage Rotation without Butler?
Steve Kerr has gone with Curry, Green, Butler, Quenten Post, and Moses Moody for most of the last 18 contests. Will Richard has started the previous two games, including Saturday night for Butler. Richard has started five of the six games that Butler has sat out and is Kerr’s likely choice as we advance. But he is questionable for tonight against Toronto due to a right glute strain.
Regardless of Kerr’s starting lineup, Moody, Brandin Podziemski, De’Anthony Melton, Richard, Buddy Hield, and perhaps Kuminga will undoubtedly see an uptick in playing time. Podziemski ultimately got the start against the Raptors instead of Richard.
Speaking of Kuminga, Slated said there is a chance he will get another shot with the team. Kuminga, who has struggled mightily this season, has played only 18 games this year and has not appeared in a contest since December 18.
“I’ve already been given indications that today they are exploring the idea of restarting the engines, entering Jonathan Kuminga potentially back into the rotation,” Slater said on NBA Today. “I’ve also been told that [Kuminga] will be ready if called upon, and we’ll get another chapter of this.”
What Is Next For The Warriors?
Golden State, which has a full 15-man roster, will not be granted a disabled player exception as the deadline for teams to apply for one was January 15. The Warriors also don’t have much financial wiggle room this year, as they are just $264,373 away from being hard-capped at the second apron.
Speaking of Kerr, he expressed confidence in his team before their game against Toronto.
“You play with who you have, “Kerr said. “We like who we have.”
That doesn’t mean that the Warriors won’t make a trade. Despite Butler’s injury, Marc I. Spears of Andscape tweeted earlier this evening that the Warriors are still expected to trade Kuminga. Hield and Moody are also candidates to be moved to facilitate a trade to bring in someone, like perhaps DeMar DeRozan.
Additionally, the Warriors have six first-round picks that are tradeable, with their 2030 selection being the lone exception. However, they don’t have many second-round assets.
What About The Warriors in 2026-27?
More importantly, Butler’s injury impacts more than just this season for the Warriors. Butler is expected to miss at least the start of the 2026-27 campaign. The Warriors already have 11 players under contract for next season with a projected practical cap space of around $14 million. However,h they do have some flexibility.
So, if the Warriors collapse down the stretch, they could decide to rebuild. Therefore, Green– who has a $27.6 million option — and Kuminga — who has a club option — could be traded in the offseason. Of course, if Kuminga isn’t dealt before the trade deadline.
Even if the Warriors decide to “change direction” this offseason, don’t expect Curry or Butler to be traded. Curry is owed $62.5 million next season, and Butler is due $56.8 million.
“Mike Dunleavy said he does not envision he will trade Jimmy Butler’s contract and believes Butler will rehab and return to help the team at some point next season,” Slater tweeted just before the Raptors and Warriors tipped off.
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