The Athletic’s Sam Amick recently hinted at Golden State’s possible interest. On *The TK Show*, he mentioned, “Jimmy Butler’s going to be a free agent next summer, didn’t get an extension done… The Warriors, as you know, have interest there and I think probably [they] made a couple of calls during the summer.”

If Butler were to join the Warriors, he would be Steph Curry’s most talented co-star since Kevin Durant—a duo that led to multiple championships. However, while the potential pairing of Curry and Butler is tantalizing, Butler’s production has dipped since his 2020 NBA Finals run with the Heat.

Butler, now 35, missed the entirety of last season’s playoffs due to a knee injury. His time in Miami has been plagued by various injuries, limiting him to no more than 65 regular-season games in any given year. Additionally, Butler is seeking a hefty payday, and if the Warriors pursue him, they would likely be sacrificing their future to chase a championship in the short term.

The future of Butler in Miami remains uncertain. He is eligible for a two-year, $112.9 million extension with the Heat. Yet, Miami’s president, Pat Riley, seemed non-committal back in June, stating, “We have not discussed that [a Butler extension] internally right now… We don’t have to do it until 2025, actually. But we’ll see. We haven’t made a decision on it, and we haven’t really in earnest discussed it.”

For Golden State, the absence of Klay Thompson this season could present challenges. Pairing another star with Steph Curry while he’s still performing at an elite level is crucial. Many in the NBA community, including B/R’s Andy Bailey, believe that a Curry-Butler tandem would be a great fit. “Curry’s unparalleled outside shooting would give Butler more room to operate in that short- to mid-range territory he already dominates. Butler’s playmaking and in-between game, in return, would make it harder to sell out on Curry’s off-ball movement,” Bailey said.

On the other hand, Klay Thompson’s move to Dallas marks a significant change for the Warriors. Seeing him in a Mavericks uniform will take some adjusting for fans. Yet, his addition to a lineup featuring Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving gives the Mavs a real shot at contending for a championship. Thompson is optimistic about the new chapter in his career, expressing excitement about the team’s potential. “The team was so close last year—three wins away from a championship—so I know we have the ingredients for success,” Thompson shared with *Dallas Hoop Journal*. “We just have to stay together and build week by week.”

In his early days with the Mavs, Klay has embraced building team chemistry, even organizing a trip to Catalina Island for voluntary summer workouts with his new teammates. Reflecting on the experience, he said, “We had a great crossing; the water was beautiful that day… We did a lot of fun things… It was such a beautiful day, and I think those moments as teammates are the ones you cherish for life.”

As the season approaches, both the Warriors and Mavericks will navigate their new realities—with Golden State potentially looking at Butler as the next big move and Dallas hoping that their fresh additions, including Klay Thompson, can finally deliver a championship.

The Golden State Warriors have long been a dynasty in the NBA, thanks largely to their incredible trio of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, along with key role players. After multiple championships, the franchise finds itself in a transitional phase, aiming to extend their winning ways while managing the careers of aging superstars. Rumors are now swirling about a potential addition to the roster: Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler. The question is, would Butler be the piece to solidify another Warriors title run, or would his arrival come with more risk than reward

Warriors’ Alleged Interest in Butler

The rumors regarding Golden State’s interest in Butler gained traction recently when *The Athletic*’s Sam Amick discussed the possibility of a future move. Amick mentioned that the Warriors could be exploring the idea of adding Butler, possibly as a free agent in the summer of 2024. “Jimmy Butler’s going to be a free agent next summer, didn’t get an extension done,” Amick noted on *The TK Show*. “The Warriors, as you know, have interest there and I think probably [they] made a couple of calls during the summer.”

Golden State has always been on the lookout for high-IQ players who can make an impact on both ends of the floor, and Butler certainly fits that mold. Known for his tenacity, defensive prowess, and ability to create offense in crunch time, Butler could seamlessly slot into a team that values versatility, intensity, and leadership.

The Potential Impact of a Butler-Curry Duo

If Butler were to join the Warriors, he would likely become Steph Curry’s best co-star since the departure of Kevin Durant in 2019. The Durant-Curry pairing resulted in two NBA championships and was one of the most lethal combinations in NBA history. While Butler isn’t the same type of player as Durant, he offers a similar capacity for taking over in high-pressure situations. Both Curry and Butler are proven leaders who thrive in playoff environments, and their contrasting skill sets could make them a dangerous tandem.

Butler excels in the mid-range game, driving to the basket, and playing lockdown defense—three areas where the Warriors have occasionally needed reinforcements. Curry’s unparalleled three-point shooting could spread the floor for Butler, creating space for him to operate in the areas where he is most effective. In turn, Butler’s playmaking ability would take some of the pressure off Curry, making it harder for opposing defenses to focus solely on stopping Golden State’s offensive maestro. This synergy could rejuvenate a Warriors team that has struggled with injuries and depth in recent years.

NBA analyst Andy Bailey of *Bleacher Report* echoed this sentiment, arguing that the duo would complement each other perfectly. “Curry’s unparalleled outside shooting would give Butler more room to operate in that short- to mid-range territory he already dominates. Butler’s playmaking and in-between game, in return, would make it harder to sell out on Curry’s off-ball movement,” Bailey explained. A Curry-Butler partnership could restore some of the magic the Warriors had with Durant, albeit in a different way.

Butler’s Recent Decline and Injury Concerns

However, it’s important to consider the potential downside of this move. Butler, who turned 35 this year, is not the same player he was a few seasons ago. While he remains a force on the court, his production has dipped since leading the Heat to the NBA Finals in 2020. The forward was unable to participate in last season’s playoffs due to a knee injury, raising concerns about his durability as he ages. In fact, Butler has never played more than 65 regular-season games during his time in Miami, largely due to recurring injuries.

The Warriors, already contending with an aging roster, might not want to gamble on another veteran player with a significant injury history. Adding Butler would likely mean sacrificing some of their long-term future to chase a win-now opportunity. Golden State has managed to stay competitive by blending veterans with younger players, such as Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, in hopes of bridging the gap between the present and the future. Bringing Butler into the fold might hinder their ability to develop these younger talents and further mortgage their future.

The Financial Cost

Another major obstacle in a potential Butler-Warriors partnership is the financial aspect. Butler is expected to command a significant contract in free agency. He could seek a deal in the range of $112.9 million over two years, a hefty price for any team—especially one that already has substantial salary commitments.

Pat Riley, the Miami Heat president, hinted at some hesitation in extending Butler’s contract, stating, “We have not discussed that [a Butler extension] internally right now. We don’t have to do it until 2025, actually. But we’ll see.” While Riley’s comments leave room for Miami to reconsider, the Heat’s apparent reluctance to lock Butler into a massive extension could open the door for the Warriors to make a play. However, Golden State would have to decide whether investing heavily in a 35-year-old player is worth it, particularly when their core is already aging.

Additionally, acquiring Butler could require the Warriors to make tough decisions about their roster construction. If they aim to maintain their competitive window, they may have to part ways with some of their younger assets or make sacrifices in terms of future draft picks.

The Warriors’ Need for a Star Pairing with Curry

Golden State’s window to win another championship with Steph Curry is closing, and the team understands the urgency of maximizing the remaining prime years of its franchise cornerstone. Without Klay Thompson—who signed with the Dallas Mavericks—the Warriors face an even greater need for an elite perimeter player to help Curry shoulder the offensive load.

The addition of Butler could help address that issue. Thompson’s departure was a major blow, but Butler’s arrival could soften the impact. His ability to play both ends of the floor, score in clutch moments, and bring leadership to the locker room might be exactly what the Warriors need to stay competitive in the stacked Western Conference.

While Klay Thompson’s new chapter in Dallas alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving may create an intriguing narrative, the Warriors’ focus remains on maximizing the Curry era. Losing Thompson will hurt, but a Curry-Butler pairing could reignite their title aspirations, especially with Draymond Green anchoring the defense.

Conclusion: A Calculated Gamble

At first glance, Jimmy Butler appears to be a great fit for the Golden State Warriors. His toughness, experience, and ability to perform in clutch situations could complement Steph Curry’s game beautifully. Together, they could form one of the most dangerous duos in the league, capable of taking down any team in the playoffs.

However, the risks of adding Butler cannot be ignored. His age, injury history, and likely financial demands make him a high-risk, high-reward acquisition. If the Warriors are willing to sacrifice their future and take a calculated gamble on winning now, Butler could be the piece that propels them back to the top of the NBA. Yet, with so many variables at play, the decision to pursue Butler would need to be carefully weighed by Golden State’s front office.

Ultimately, while Jimmy Butler could be a missing piece for the Warriors’ championship puzzle, whether he’s the *right* piece will depend on their willingness to balance short-term success with long-term stability.