By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Jimmy Butler left the Golden State Warriors’ dominant Monday night victory over the Miami Heat, his former team, with a right knee injury. Though the severity of this setback was not immediately official, we came to find out that he tore an ACL. His season is now over.
This is, in no uncertain terms, a disaster for the Warriors. They were just rounding into form, having won 12 of their past 16 games. Granted, people remain skeptical that they are a contender. All of the best NBA betting websites have them firmly outside the top-five squads most likely to win it all.
Still, this most recent stretch lent itself to hope. Stephen Curry, despite being 37 years old, is once again playing like a top-five MVP candidate. Draymond Green remains a strong defensive presence. Depth pieces like De’Anthony Melton, Will Richard, Gui Santos and Gary Payton II are having moments. Al Horford looks more at a home after an unfortunate start. Brandin Podziemski has turned a corner. The offense during their 12-4 stretch ranks second in points scored per possession.
Where the Dubs looked like a dynasty that had officially fallen, one more than a single star away from a title, they suddenly appeared to be a squad that could re-enter fray by making a medium-sized move or two. Butler’s extended absence changes that. And it forces the Warriors to choose between continuing to maximize the window around Steph, or submitting to the mediocrity his absence will foist upon them.
Phrased this way, there really is no decision.
The Warriors Are More Likely to Make a Big Trade Now
This seems counterintuitive under the circumstances. Teams that lose their second-most important players do not typically double- or triple-down on that season. They suck up the loss and hope things improve the following year.
Golden State doesn’t have that option. Steph is 37. Butler is 36. Draymond turns 36 in March. The Warriors’ time is now—or never. They are obligated to remain ultra-aggressive on the trade market.
Fortunately for them, they have plenty of assets. The front office can trade up to four first-round picks, and they have a smattering of matching salaries to use in prospective deals.
Unfortunately for the Warriors, the scope and scale of their next trade(s) must now change. They can no longer hope to flip the out-of-the-rotation Jonathan Kuminga and a first-round pick and expect to net enough to keep pace with other contenders.
Without Butler, the time has now come to go bigger-name hunting. And that pursuit, crass it is to write, might have to include flipping Butler himself. His $54.1 million salary will be critical to matching money in deals for bigger names. The Warriors needed to avoid that outcome at all costs before. It is an entirely different situation now that he could be a complete zero for them not only the rest of this season, but for much of next year, too.
Trade Targets The Warriors Might Pursue
Anthony Davis’ name is one that will pop up a ton now. That makes sense. He is injured himself, but he’s expected to return within the next four to six weeks. He can provide a stabilizing force on the defensive end, and the tanking Dallas Mavericks may not care about taking on Butler, particularly when his contract comes off the books after next season.
The Brooklyn Nets also loom large here. They can take back Butler’s money, Buddy Hield and another small contract, and then send out Michael Porter Jr. and Nicolas Claxton if the Warriors include enough sweeteners.
Losing Butler could also prompt the Warriors to poke around the Ja Morant trade market. They might even talk themselves into making a mega offer for LaMelo Ball. They will definitely be making another call about Giannis Antetokounmpo. If the Memphis Grizzlies are truly open to rebuilding, they might not flinch at taking on Butler’s contract and a bunch of first-round picks in exchange for Jaren Jackson Jr.
The lack of wing-player names here is tough. Butler is a rarity in many respects for his ability to defend at a high level on the wings while jump-starting the entire offense, drawing free throws and even cutting away from the ball. There is not a good analog realistically on the market. Every potential wing replacement,—whether it’s Trey Murphy III, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges or somebody else—is imperfect. Point forwards do not grow on trees.
Still, the Warriors could see whether the Indiana Pacers are willing to engage on Pascal Siakam. Contacting the New Orleans Pelicans and seeing whether there’s a way to get both Zion Williamson or Herb Jones would be a good call.
The list goes on. And on. And on. You can rest assured the Warriors are going to explore every nook and cranny of it. The Jimmy Butler injury gives them no choice.