Report: Warriors Not Pursuing Jimmy Butler Trade

According to NBA reporters Anthony Slater, Sam Amick and Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic, the Golden State Warriors are not pursuing Jimmy Butler. 

Butler has requested a trade from the Miami Heat. The forward can’t control his trade request, though, since he doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. 

The Warriors are 17-16 on the season, while the Heat are 17-15. 

“The Butler situation in Miami escalated further on Friday night. The Heat announced a seven-game suspension for the 35-year-old six-time All-Star. Miami cited ‘multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team,’ adding that they’re finally willing to ‘listen to offers’ after Butler formally asked for a trade, generating another wave of speculation the Warriors would emerge as the most desperate, likely suitor,” Slater, Amick and Thompson II wrote. “Yet according to a source close to Butler, the Warriors are not currently seen as a viable option and there have been no substantive talks or traction to get any type of deal done. Butler’s history and reputation is as a premium two-way perimeter player — which the Warriors could use. Some credence exists to the idea that his midrange repertoire and defensive prowess could elevate the Warriors into that next tier of playoff threat. But Butler’s age and injury history makes him a risky choice. His price tag makes him an untenable option.”

Butler has a $52 million player option for next season. He’s making $48.8 million this season.

One of the best players in the NBA, Butler has played for the Chicago Bulls, Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers and Heat. He has career averages of 18.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.4 blocks and has made five All-NBA teams and five All-Defensive Teams. 

“I want to see me getting my joy back playing basketball. Wherever that may be, we’ll find out here pretty soon,” Butler said. “I’m happy here off the court, but I want to be back to somewhat dominant, I want to hoop and I want to help this team win, and right now I’m not doing it.”

When asked if he can get his joy back on the court with the Heat, Butler responded: “Probably not.”