The Golden State Warriors have made a better start to the season than most people would have expected. They are 4-1, even with Steph Curry out injured, as Buddy Hield has done a pretty good job of filling the void of Klay Thompson over the first five games. Still, it feels like the Warriors need a second star alongside Curry if they want to put up a genuine challenge for the Championship. Interestingly, the name of Jimmy Butler has been linked with them for a while. Butler’s future with the Miami Heat is up in the air.
He did not get a contract extension in the offseason and the belief is that he will opt out of his player option to make a free agent next summer. Of course, that raises the possibility of the Heat exploring trade routes for Butler, especially after the underwhelming start they have made to the season. Interestingly, it looks like the Warriors might now be more willing than ever to include Jonathan Kuminga in a trade.
A report from Sam Amick in The Athletic goes on to read: “Yet while rival executives believe the Warriors are more willing than ever to include Kuminga in a trade of significant magnitude, the fact remains that they’re setting their sights very high in terms of possible targets. One name to monitor is Jimmy Butler, the 35-year-old Miami Heat star who league sources say drew interest from the Warriors during the offseason and who did not come to terms on an extension.
He’ll be an unrestricted free agent next summer.” There were high expectations that Kuminga would take the next step this season but in the absence of Curry, the 22-year-old has seen himself drop to the bench. Interestingly, Kuminga has proven to be more effective in his new role than he was as a starter earlier on in the season.
It is also worth mentioning that Kuminga did not receive an extension from the Warriors this summer. He was believed to be aiming for an annual salary in the $35 million range while the franchise was not ready to go beyond the $30 million range. So, could the Warriors end up trying to trade for Butler by including Kuminga in the deal? Time shall tell.
