The Golden State Warriors and the Miami Heat have finally pulled the trigger for Jimmy Butler in one of the most complex deals ever.
Sources told Shams Charania of ESPN that the Miami Heat are sending Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors in a reported five-team deal that also includes the Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz, and the Toronto Raptors.
The full breakdown of the deal is yet to be finalized, but it’s confirmed already that Butler is now taking his talents to the Bay Area — forming a dynamic trio with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
At last, after two months of heated drama, the Butler saga in Miami has come to an end.
Disgruntled about failing to reach his desired max extension, Butler’s relationship with the Heat fell apart back in December.
Pat Riley and the rest of the franchise leadership were hesitant to extend Butler out of availability issues, and this entire tension was created when the top executive called out the Miami wing back in May.
Amid reports that the star wanted out of Miami, the Heat initially turned down the notion that they would trade Butler. But that stance instantly changed when they suspended the 35-year-old three times due to multiple conducts detrimental to the team.
Butler is averaging 17.0 points per game – his lowest since his third year in the NBA – and was visibly passive and disengaged for his past few games wearing a Heat uniform.
Amid the conflict that they had, Butler and the Heat relatively overachieved throughout the course of their six-year partnership. They only missed the postseason once and even made it to two NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023.
Apparently, Jimmy Butler is now ready to roll in Golden State. The team has been one of his preferred destinations even though his first choice was the Phoenix Suns.
Minutes after it was reported that he’ll head to Golden State, Charania explained that Butler agreed on a two-year, $111m extension with the Warriors that will go through the 2026-27 season. He will decline his $48.8m player option for next season to claim the new contract.
As he finally broke away with Miami and secured a new deal for himself, Butler instantly stamped a social media song post in his Facebook, X, and Instagram accounts.
Butler will be back in the Western Conference after a spell with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Upon his entry to Golden State, the Warriors expect Butler to be committed in their ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship.
