Joe Lacob is confident that Jimmy Butler’s time with the Golden State Warriors will not turn into another dramatic chapter in the star forward’s career. Despite Butler’s history of clashing with teammates and coaches in previous stops, Lacob believes that the Warriors’ strong culture and winning environment will keep him happy.
Speaking on The TK Show with Tim Kawakami, the Warriors’ owner emphasized that the organization did extensive research before making the blockbuster trade with the Miami Heat, ensuring that Butler would be the right fit.
“I mean, I don’t know. I don’t know for sure, anything, but I feel pretty confident. I’ve talked to him since, a little bit, directly, and Mike certainly has, and he seems really happy. And sure, can these things change? I guess.”
“Jimmy has a little bit of a reputation for that. But, these are always two-way streets, so there’s always reasons for these things. Let’s just say we did our homework, and we feel very confident that in this situation, this team, these players, our GM, that I think Jimmy will remain very happy.”
“And of course, we’re all happy if we win, and right now we’ve been winning. So hopefully, if we’re right about what we project here, this should be a very happy marriage.”
Joe Lacob acknowledged Butler’s reputation but expressed faith in his ability to thrive in the Golden State. He noted that the team had multiple conversations with Butler, and the six-time All-Star appeared to be in great spirits since the trade.
The Warriors’ front office, led by general manager Mike Dunleavy, was meticulous in its decision-making process, considering not just Butler’s talent but also the locker-room dynamic. Lacob firmly believes that as long as the team continues to win, Butler’s tenure will be a smooth one.
Butler has had an eventful career, moving from team to team due to chemistry issues. In Chicago, despite his rise to stardom, his relationship with younger teammates and then-coach Fred Hoiberg soured, leading to a trade.
His stint in Minnesota was even more turbulent, with the infamous practice altercation involving Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins. In Philadelphia, Butler was a key part of a championship-contending team, yet he left after one season to join Miami. While he found success with the Heat, leading them to two NBA Finals appearances, his final season in Miami was marred by suspensions and internal discord.
There were initial reports that Butler was hesitant about joining the Warriors before the trade deadline, fueling speculation that he preferred a different destination. However, Lacob dismissed those rumors, attributing them to “agent speak” and misinformation. He emphasized that once the deal was finalized, Butler embraced his new role in Golden State, quickly becoming a crucial piece in the Warriors’ push for the playoffs.
Butler himself has reinforced this notion, publicly declaring that the Warriors are the best organization he has ever played for. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, Butler has gone above and beyond to assimilate, staying late for shootarounds, practices, and spending extra time in the training and meal rooms.
The transition from Miami’s structured, almost militaristic approach to the Warriors’ more player-friendly culture has been a breath of fresh air for Butler.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst described Butler’s time in Golden State as a “full-blown honeymoon experience,” with the six-time All-Star enjoying the freedom and camaraderie of his new surroundings.
Since joining the team, Butler’s impact has been undeniable. In his seven games with the Warriors, he has averaged 18.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 45.8% from the field.
More importantly, Golden State has gone 6-1 during that stretch, climbing to the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 31-27 record. They now sit just one game behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the sixth seed, putting them in prime position to avoid the Play-In Tournament.
The Warriors have always been known for their strong locker-room culture, led by veterans like Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. If Butler continues to buy into the system, Golden State could become a legitimate contender once again.
Lacob’s confidence in Butler stems from the belief that winning solves everything, and right now, the Warriors are doing plenty of it. If they continue this upward trajectory, Butler’s tenure in the Bay Area could prove to be one of the best moves the franchise has made in years.
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