The NBA All-Star weekend has concluded and the regular season is just days away from ramping up again.
Of course, one team to keep an eye on in the second half of the season is the Golden State Warriors, who pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Miami Heat ahead of the trade deadline. In the trade, Golden State acquired Jimmy Butler from Miami, ending the saga between him and the Heat.
With Butler now pairing up with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, the Warriors are looking to climb up the Western Conference standings and prove that they are going to be a title contender. Golden State currently sits 10th in the West standings with a 28-27 record, but they have won six of their last 10 games.
Feb 10, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler (10) reacts in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
© Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
During All-Star weekend, Denver Nuggets superstar center Nikola Jokic gave his thoughts on Butler and the Warriors.
“If they need my opinion about Jimmy Butler and how he’s going to fit I think they’re in trouble, but especially winner, he’s been to the finals a couple of times, still has the hunger to win it, gives them a different version of the Warriors, definitely a great player who can help them,” Jokic stated.
Of course, Jokic gave an honest answer and he is right. Butler is a proven winner and he is an elite playoff performer. He led the Heat to two NBA Finals during his time with the team, including one against Jokic and the Nuggets in 2023, and although they were never able to capture a championship, they still put up a great fight.
While Butler will likely make the Warriors a better team over the second half of the season and into the playoffs, they still have a lot of tough competition to win another title. The Oklahoma City Thunder have looked like the best team in the NBA this season and Jokic and Nuggets have gotten hot at the right time.
Either way, the Warriors should be a better team with Butler on their roster, but it will still be difficult for them to win another title this season.