The early verdict on Jimmy Butler has been positive, but the Golden State Warriors are not satisfied just yet.
The Golden State Warriors took a swing at the trade deadline to move for Jimmy Butler. It was a move they had to make, at risk of missing out on the playoffs altogether.
The Warriors are still sitting precariously in 10th in the Western Conference, but suddenly have what they lacked before; belief.
Draymond Green made a statement at the All-Star break, declaring the Warriors will go on and win the NBA Championship once again.
Jimmy Butler has energized the Warriors since the move, making a real positive impact in the locker room, and making the teams’ offense more unpredictable.
Butler’s emerging partnership with Stephen Curry has shown real promise, the team are 3-1 since his arrival.
Are the Warriors pleased? Yes. Are they satisfied? Not exactly. They believe there is another level he can get to.
Marc Spears explained to ESPN that the Warriors believe Butler can still step it up in terms of production.
Spears said: “I’m told that the Warriors are extremely happy with Jimmy Butler so far in terms of his scoring and getting to the free throw line.
“But they want more from him, I think they want he and Curry to be averaging close to 30 points per game.”
During his four games on the Golden State Warriors, Jimmy Butler is averaging 21.3 points per game. This is already an increase on his production with the Miami Heat this season, 17.0 ppg.
Can Butler get to 30 ppg? Likely not. His career best in a season is 23.9 ppg with the Chicago Bulls in 2017-18, with his best output on the Heat coming in 2022/23 at 22.9 ppg.
However, if you are talking about the postseason, Butler’s number rise. There is a reason he is known as ‘Playoff Jimmy’. In 2021-22 he averaged 27.4 ppg, and 26.9 ppg in 2022-23.
Still short off the Warriors supposed dream 30 ppg – but a lot closer.
That’s a number that Stephen Curry has only exceeded twice, with 30.1 ppg in 2015-16, and 32.0 in 2020-21.
This season his regular season total is 23.4 ppg. Perhaps he and Butler can help each other out.
Just like Draymond Green’s title goals, it does not hurt to aim high.
