The Golden State Warriors need to make a big move at the trade deadline to give Stephen Curry the best chance to win a fifth ring.
Curry, 36, is still playing at a Hall of Fame level, but he won’t be for much longer, and Golden State owes it to their franchise player to construct a championship-worthy roster around him for one last hurrah.
That’s why bringing in Jimmy Butler would make a ton of sense, as alluded to by Hoops Habit’s Zach Ciavolella in a new report on Saturday.
“While Butler’s preferred team appears to be in Texas, according to reporting, or Phoenix, according to Butler’s hair, the Warriors arguably make the most sense of every potential suitor,” Ciavolella said.
“Unable to come to an agreement on a rookie-scale extension for Jonathan Kuminga, the writing on the wall suggests that the young forward may be on the move ahead of the trade deadline.”
“After parting ways with longtime Splash Brother Klay Thompson this summer, the Warriors are in dire need of adding veteran talent alongside Steph Curry in hopes of pursuing a fifth, and potentially final, championship of Curry’s window.”
“To that point, Butler remains a strong postseason performer, one who impacts the game on both sides. Alongside Curry, Draymond Green, and shooters Buddy Hield, Brandin Podziemski, and Moses Moody, Butler could slide right in as the perfect fit.”
“The offer: Andrew Wiggins, De’Anthony Melton, Jonathan Kuminga, Lindy Waters III, a 2028 second-round pick via Atlanta.”
“Losing Kuminga’s and Wiggins’s production would hurt Golden State, but Butler would give Golden State a sorely needed secondary shot creator.”
“Miami meanwhile adds an intriguing young player at a position of need in Kuminga in addition to a reliable wing in Wiggins. The Heat would have no true star, but that fits the “Heat Culture” if nothing else.”
“Kuminga, 22, is still young enough to develop into a star for the Heat and would have more runway to grow in Miami instead of Golden State.”
Butler, 35, was selected with the No. 30 pick in the Chicago Bulls. He’s a six-time All-Star.
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