Butler after joining Warriors: 'Happy to be playing basketball again'
To say Jimmy Butler is excited about joining the Golden State Warriors is an understatement.
"For myself, I'm just so happy to be playing basketball again, honestly," Butler said at his introductory press conference. "But for an organization like this one, with some hellified talent that we have, I'm glad that I get the opportunity to get here and help, get us to winning, and do something special.
"I think that's why I'm here, and I will do my best to do what everybody wants, and that's to win a championship. I mean it."
The Warriors acquired Butler from the Miami Heat as part of a complicated five-team deal in exchange for Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, Dennis Schroder, and a protected first-round pick. As part of the deal, Golden State inked Butler to a two-year, $121-million extension. The full transaction became official Thursday night after Butler passed his physical.
| Warriors receive | Heat receive | Pistons receive | Jazz receive | Raptors receive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F Jimmy Butler | F Andrew Wiggins | G Dennis Schroder | G Josh Richardson | F P.J. Tucker |
| F P.J. Tucker | G Lindy Waters | F K.J. Martin | 2nd-round pick (2026 LAL) | |
| F Kyle Anderson | 2nd-round pick (2031) | 2nd-round pick (2028) | Cash | |
| G Davion Mitchell | 2nd-round pick (2031) | |||
| 1st-round pick (2025) | Cash |
Butler led the Heat to a pair of NBA Finals appearances over his six seasons in Miami. However, relations between him and the franchise soured over the last few months as he looked for an exit. The Heat suspended Butler three times in January, concluding with an indefinite ban on Jan. 27.
The six-time All-Star thanked the Heat, saying that he has "so much respect for that organization." However, he declined to dive into the breakdown of his relationship with his former team, and how the saga that brought him to San Francisco played out.
"Speculation is just what it is. I like to let people think that what's going on is really going on, when that's only one side of every story," Butler said. "I don't have anything to say. I'm good. All of that (in Miami) is behind me. I'm moving forward, and I'm happy to be here. I'm happy to be wanted again. So I'll leave it at that."
Asked if he felt unwanted by the Heat, Butler answered: "Maybe at times. But like I said, who cares now, 'cause I'm here. And I would like to think that I am wanted here."
Amid all the drama in Miami, it had been reported that Butler's preferred destination was the Phoenix Suns. When asked specifically if Golden State was his second choice, he hinted that there may have been more to the story than what was out there.
"This (Golden State) is a great choice, and the best part about everything is, I never say anything, so nobody actually knows what's really going on because it never comes from my mouth," he said. "So out of everything that's been going on, I'm happy to be here. I'm happy to be able to play basketball again. Meaningful basketball, at that."
Butler added that he's "ready" to play, and hopes to make his Warriors debut on Saturday against the Chicago Bulls.
The 35-year-old averaged 17 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game in 25 contests with Miami this season.