The Golden State Warriors are currently rolling since the addition of Jimmy Butler III to the team at the NBA trade deadline. Butler, who has played in nine games since the trade deadline, has made an instant impact for Golden State.
The Warriors are 8-1 since acquiring Butler, with their only loss with him being a controversial game on the road against the Dallas Mavericks.
Golden State took a close loss to the Philadelphia 76ers without Butler but got back to its winning ways as he joined the lineup to help defeat the Charlotte Hornets. Ahead of the Warriors’ game against the New York Knicks, many are stating the true impact of having Butler on this team.
Stephen A. Smith Praises Jimmy Butler III’s Addition to the Warriors
The eye test will show you that the Warriors are a much better team now with Butler in the fold. He is currently averaging 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game this season and is showcasing how his basketball IQ elevates Golden State.
Stephen A. Smith spoke about this on ESPN, noting the impact that Butler has is similar to Klay Thompson:
"Jimmy Butler has upgraded Golden State significantly… Him getting to the free throw line has taken a lot of the pressure off Steph Curry… He benefits Steph almost as much as Klay Thompson did."
— Stephen A. Smith 🗣️
(via @GetUpESPN)pic.twitter.com/ZWVNGDSWoY
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 3, 2025
“Jimmy Butler has upgraded Golden State significantly… his ability to get to the free throw line, I think he was averaging about 9.3 free throws per game.
“Understand what that does, that spells for Steph Curry, without having to take him out of the game. Because you’re in attack mode. His usage rate is second to Steph Curry on the team.
“Him getting to the free throw line on top of all of that takes a lot of the pressure off Steph Curry because it gives him air to breathe… He benefits Steph Curry almost as much as Klay Thompson did.”
While it is impossible to really explain Butler’s impact in nine games in comparison to Thompson playing 13 seasons next to Curry, it is evident that he’s helped this team in various ways.
The Warriors’ Ceiling With Butler
Since Butler’s arrival, the Warriors have looked rejuvenated. They’ve gone 8-1 in his nine games on the floor while raising their levels on both offense and defense.
Butler’s impact has led to a refreshed Curry and Draymond Green, a revitalized Buddy Hield, as well as excellent play from young players like Quinten Post, Brandin Podziemski, and Moses Moody.
Jonathan Kuminga will soon return, and Butler has spoken publicly about his desire to make it seamless. If the Warriors get a motivated and focused Kuminga to add his scoring power to this new look, their ceiling could be much higher than some expected.
Butler and Green both made declarations about winning a championship when he arrived. As far-fetched as that seemed to sound, the Warriors being 8-2 in their last 10 games since Butler got here says that maybe it isn’t such a crazy thought anymore.
