The Golden State Warriors are expected to explore a wide range of options ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline, but a mid-season move involving Jimmy Butler appears highly unlikely after the veteran forward suffered a season-ending ACL injury.
Marc Stein reports in The Stein Line that general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. made that position clear on Tuesday, and that the message was not just a public stance.
As Stein notes, Golden State did trade an injured player last season after De’Anthony Melton tore his ACL, but the circumstances were much different.
Melton had a relatively small expiring contract, making a deal much easier to execute. Butler, on the other hand, is owed $54.1 million this season and $56.8 million in 2026-27, creating significant financial and logistical hurdles for any potential trade.
There is also an on-field factor working in Butler’s favor. Since acquiring him last season, the Warriors have gone 46-22 in regular season games when Butler was available, and the organization still believes he can return from the injury in time to contribute before the end of the 2026-27 season.
In addition to contracts and wins, Stein notes that personal relationships can also play a role. Dunleavy was a teammate of Butler’s during their time with the Chicago Bulls before Dunleavy retired as a player, and the two have known each other for more than a decade.
That history could make the Warriors’ front office hesitant to move on from Butler while he is still in the early stages of his recovery from a serious injury.
Why a trade involving Jimmy Butler seems unlikely: https://t.co/aKMJxE8LXE
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) January 22, 2026
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