Trade rumors surrounding Jimmy Butler and the Golden State Warriors started emerging almost as soon as Butler went down this week with a torn ACL that will keep him out for the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA season.
But according to a new report from NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Warriors are highly unlikely to part with Butler.
“Butler’s locker room presence and the general enjoyment he has expressed since landing with the Warriors last February have been welcomed by the organization as much as his on-floor contributions,” Fischer wrote.
Fischer also explained that basically the only circumstance that might lead to a Butler trade would be if either Giannis Antetokounmpo or LeBron James expressed a desire to join the Warriors via trade, but neither of those scenarios is likely to happen this season.
Jimmy’s season with the Warriors was a continuation of his good fit that was on display last year after he was traded from the Miami Heat. In 38 games this year, all as a starter, Butler averaged 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists while shooting 51.9 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from three-point range.
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Butler’s several strong performances included a 32-point outing against the New York Knicks on January 15, where he grabbed eight rebounds and dished out four assists in a victory. He also notched 30 points and seven rebounds in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks on January 11. Facing his old team, the Heat, on January 19, Butler scored 17 points with four assists and three rebounds in 21 minutes before the tragic knee injury in the third quarter.
Butler’s absence leaves a void for Golden State as they push forward.
Featured image via Kelley L Cox/Imagn Images
