Jimmy Butler was the face of the Miami Heat for the six seasons he spent there. However, his historic run with the franchise went down in flames last season when he was traded to the Golden State Warriors.
With the Heat, Butler made two All-Star appearances, averaged 21.0 points per game, and helped the franchise reach the NBA Finals in 2020, and 2023, including many signature playoff moments along the way.
Butler would then force his way out of Miami during the 2024-25 season, eventually being traded to Golden State after a long and drawn out saga.
Butler’s reasoning for the trade revealed
Now with the Warriors, Butler explained in an interview with NBC that his reasoning for forcing his way to the Warriors last year was due to things that are bigger than the game of basketball.
“My kids are in California. So going that long, without seeing my kids, I was miserable,” Butler said. “I tell everybody that’s the part of the game that the outside eye doesn’t see. You think it’s just basketball, but it’s not. So I’m happy because I’m wanted. I’m happy because I got an incredible group of guys. I’m happy because I know we can win a championship, but I’m happy because I get my kids around too.”
Butler and the Warriors are now looking to secure a title in 2026. They enter this season as dark horse contenders in the Western Conference, and if Butler and Stephen Curry are at the top of their games, the Warriors could be in line to earn their fifth championship since 2015.