Warriors agree to blockbuster deal for Jimmy Butler, sending Wiggins to Miami
SALT LAKE CITY — The Warriors have their second star.
Jimmy Butler is heading to the Warriors in a blockbuster trade, a source confirmed to this news organization. ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported the trade and details of it.
Butler, Charania reported, is also committing to a two-year, $121 million extension with Golden State that will keep him under contract through 2027.
The 35-year-old Butler is averaging 17 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. He’s a six-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA and five-time All-Defense player.
Per Charania, the Warriors are sending out Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson, Lindy Waters III and a protected first-round pick. Schroder is heading to Utah and Anderson to Toronto in a complicated, multi-team deal.
The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported that the outgoing pick is protected 1-10 in this year’s draft.
Combining multiple reports in an evolving situation, here’s an overview of the trade:
Warriors get: Jimmy Butler
Heat get: Andrew Wiggins, Warriors’ 2025 first-round pick (1-10 protected), PJ Tucker
Utah gets: Dennis Schroder
Raptors get: Kyle Anderson
Pistons get: Lindy Waters III, Josh Richardson
In Butler, the Warriors have a secondary playmaker and scorer to take the offensive burden off superstar guard Steph Curry. Although Butler’s usage is down this season amid a tumultuous campaign he ranks highly in several key advanced metrics.
One of the best two-way wings and playoff performers in the league, Butler led the Heat to two NBA Finals.
Butler became available because the Heat didn’t want to commit to him with a long-term deal. Comments from team owner Pat Riley about his availability soured the situation to the point that Butler quit on the team. The Heat suspended him three times, including an indefinite suspension, for conduct detrimental to the team, disregarding team rules and intentionally withholding services.
Butler’s preferred destination was reportedly Phoenix, but the Warriors pursued him after talks with the Suns around Kevin Durant fell through.
This is a developing story and will be updated with more information.