The Golden State Warriors’ season was spiraling into mediocrity until February 6, when a blockbuster trade brought in six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler. Since that moment, everything has changed.
A team that was sitting at 25-26 and barely clinging to the 10th seed in the West has completely flipped the script. With Butler in the lineup, Golden State has surged to a 21-4 record, climbed to the 5th seed, and re-established itself as a legitimate title contender.
Before Butler’s arrival, the Warriors were a middling team by nearly every metric. Their offense ranked 18th in the league with an offensive rating of 111.8, while their defense, though solid, was only 10th at 112.2. They had a negative net rating of -0.4, ranking 16th overall—clearly a team stuck in the middle.
But since integrating Butler, the numbers have undergone a stunning transformation. Their offensive rating has skyrocketed to 119.2 (4th in the NBA), their defensive rating has improved to 109.4 (best in the league), and their net rating is now a dominant +9.7, third in the league during that span.
Jimmy Butler may not be putting up gaudy scoring numbers, averaging a modest 17.3 points per game, but his impact goes far beyond the box score. He’s averaging 5.9 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game, providing a stabilizing presence and elite playmaking that perfectly complements the Warriors’ system.
His ability to guard multiple positions, draw fouls, and make timely plays has given Golden State an identity it lacked earlier in the season.
The chemistry between Butler, Stephen Curry, and Draymond Green has been instant and electric. When all three have played, the Warriors are an incredible 20-2, a stat that speaks to the seamless fit and elevated ceiling the trio brings.
Curry, in particular, looks rejuvenated. With Butler shouldering playmaking duties and attacking mismatches, Curry has been able to move off the ball more freely—doing what he does best—creating chaos and draining shots from everywhere.
Draymond Green, meanwhile, has been playing his best basketball in years. The veteran forward has taken on the role of defensive quarterback again, and his synergy with Butler on the defensive end has made the Warriors a nightmare for opposing offenses.
With their switching, communication, and collective toughness, Golden State is looking like the defensive juggernaut that powered their previous title runs. Green is even earning buzz as a Defensive Player of the Year candidate again.
The transformation since the trade has been nothing short of remarkable. Golden State no longer looks like a team trying to sneak into the playoffs—they look like a team capable of running through the West.
With their Big Three playing elite two-way basketball and a now top-tier supporting cast, including Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga, and Moses Moody stepping up, the Warriors suddenly have depth, firepower, and the defensive edge required to win it all.
Jimmy Butler didn’t just save the Warriors’ season—he reignited their championship hopes.
