Shedding Jimmy Butler for the remainder of this season might give the Golden State Warriors a novel—if not uncomfortable—alternative.
What ended the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty? Butler’s damage in all probability did it.
The NBA misplaced one among its lasting forces on Monday night time, as Warriors star Jimmy Butler endured a devastating ACL damage in a Monday night time victory over Miami. ESPN’s Shams Charania has already reported that Butler will miss the rest of the season, one which has the Warriors dangling in Western Convention purgatory because the common season hits the midway mark.
“He’s an alpha. He’s a kind of guys within the league who all people else within the fitness center is aware of that’s the man,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr stated within the aftermath, per the New York Publish. “He has that presence, however he additionally has that sport the place we will play by way of him possession after possession.
“Assuming we’ll be with out him for a bit bit, we’re going to overlook him, we’ve acquired a variety of gamers who can play and we’re displaying our depth proper now. We’ll simply await the information to determine what’s subsequent.”
Jimmy Butler joking round after tearing his ACL pic.twitter.com/ZEfddy4FlW https://t.co/o1YxqJEngu
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) January 20, 2026
Butler’s Damage Hurts in Extra Methods Than One
Kerr definitely is not the one one watching and ready: the present iteration of the Warriors basically serves as “The Simpsons” of basketball: they’re yellow, they have been round perpetually, acquainted names are nonetheless hooked up, however either side will proceed to undergo the mediocre motions till somebody pulls the plug, which dangers a big lack of revenue for the powers that be.
This season has roughly been daybreak for the day after a wild social gathering within the Bay Space. By all means, Golden State continues to be sitting comparatively fairly on the NBA leaderboard: its 25-19 file in a cutthroat Western Convention is tied for Eleventh-best within the league and could be tied for fourth if the Warriors performed on the alternative coast.
Franchise face Stephen Curry continues to provide at a excessive stage as he inches towards age 38, as his present scoring common is his second-best since getting 32 per sport throughout the Warriors’ final title run in 2021. Partly fueled by final winter’s commerce for Butler, the Warriors additionally maybe purchased themselves a bit time with a playoff win over second-seeded Houston final spring earlier than going with out an injured Curry in a five-game defeat to Minnesota.
However, by Kerr’s personal admission, the trendy Warriors seem like no match for contemporary postseason staples like Minnesota, Denver, or defending champion Oklahoma Metropolis. San Antonio additionally seems to be again on prime, whereas Houston’s atonement for the aforementioned first-round defeat noticed them enlist former Curry companion Kevin Durant. In opposition to that group of 5, Golden State holds a 3-6 file, and that was with Butler, who now should interact in a prolonged rehab on the age of 36, satirically sufficient.
As It Stands, Golden State Faces Two Lukewarm Choices
The Butler damage additional forces the Warriors right into a meandering no-man’s land: so long as Curry’s round, it looks like Golden State is destined to play greater than 82 video games it doesn’t matter what. He would not have any obvious curiosity in transferring on and sporting, however one jersey looks like an applicable finish to his game-changing journey. To today, the Warriors seem prepared to serve appetizers for Curry’s continued presence, as they introduced in his brother, Seth, in December.
Curry’s fellow yellow California staple, Draymond Inexperienced, is in an analogous spot: his instigating actions nonetheless carry a little bit of lingering effectiveness, although one could make a case for his deadline exit with an eight-figure participant choice hooked up to his present contract.
Marc Spears:
“We do not see Butler getting traded. One GM advised me he says uncertain. An excessive amount of cash. The factor with the Warriors is I have been advised that they have not wished so as to add wage” pic.twitter.com/T3L00EyLYm
— Oh No He Did not (@ohnohedidnt24) January 20, 2026
Butler’s damage was not an remoted incident, as the autumn of the Bay Space empire was a multi-pronged course of: second total alternative James Wiseman by no means cashed in on his 2020 potential. To its credit score, the Warriors discovered some buried contributors past the lottery (i.e., Brandin Podziemski, Quentin Publish), however nothing that offers them a lot of a leg to face on within the conflict of the Western titans.
The lack of New Orleans-bond Kevon Looney, the versatile paint presence that made himself invaluable within the trendy Affiliation regardless of his restricted scoring contributions, additionally hasn’t helped in that regard.
Elsewhere, Wiseman’s lottery successor, 2021’s seventh choose Jonathan Kuminga, seems to be in a contest with the group to see who can burn their bridge quicker. In an ideal world, Kuminga would slide into Butler’s vacated spot, however there is no signal of any reconciliation because the commerce deadline approaches. Kuminga has not taken the ground on this new calendar regardless of starting the 12 months stationed within the Golden State, beginning 5.
Finish of an Period within the Bay?
That creates an uncomfortable conundrum: do the Warriors fund a Curry/Inexperienced farewell tour (with particular visitor Klay Thompson if the Dallas Mavericks maintain promoting) or do they rip the band-aid off by buying and selling Inexperienced and letting Curry stroll when he turns into a free agent in 2027?
The Warriors have clearly purchased themselves some goodwill to have a retirement tour, and if anybody’s able to commandeering a playoff sequence, it is Curry, who would not need to go overseas. There’s an opportunity they’ll interact in a mixture of each, conserving Curry whereas stockpiling no matter belongings they’ll in potential departures for Kuminga and different potential free agents-to-be, like Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton.
The Jimmy Butler damage is simply the most recent heartbreak for Warriors followers. It will get to some extent… pic.twitter.com/dfFQrSmof3
— Guru (@DrGuru_) January 20, 2026
Even Butler might be on the desk in a Damian Lillard-style deal if the franchise is prepared to tackle some lifeless cash, as his agent Bernie Lee (h/t Anthony Slater, ESPN) reiterated that his objective stays the incomes of an elusive championship … one that does not really feel prefer it’s following the Warriors to San Francisco.
In any occasion, Butler’s damage is maybe the loss of life rattle for the uncanny manner the Warriors in some way conjured and prolonged their championship lifespan. Butler himself was the supply of such everlasting youth final time round. But when the Warriors need to dwell to battle one other day, it might be time to both take calls on Curry or totally decide to the little bit of nostalgia.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on X @GeoffJMags
