Warriors Rumors: Golden State To Throw Hat In The Ring for Jimmy Butler

The Jimmy Butler drama will be one of the focal points of this summer until he either does—or doesn't—sign an extension that he's now eligible for, with the Miami Heat.

Problem is, word is out that the Heat don't want to give him the max. No problem for Jimmy Buckets, as there are other teams that are reportedly prepared to offer him a max extension. And according to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, the Warriors are expected to throw their hat in the ring.

If the Heat decide to trade Jimmy Butler, the Warriors will enter the conversation as an interested team, per @anthonyVslater (https://t.co/vw06uaBCGb).

Golden State has the necessary salaries and future picks that could potentially appeal Miami. pic.twitter.com/NaLWpu2aJE
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 30, 2024

The Warriors do have the salaries to make a trade work, and some draft capital and a couple of young players as well to add in. Chris Paul's $30M salary (once picked up) is a starting point. One proposed deal would see the Heat receive Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, CP3 & one future first-round pick in exchange for Butler.

The Warriors did not make the playoffs this season, losing in the Play-In, and are desperate to contend again while Steph Curry's window is still open.

One drawback to this plan, of course, is the years of salary cap troubles the Dubs have had and are trying to get out from under. Taking in Butler and a $50M+ per year contract for several years certainly wouldn't help them on that front. Butler will be entering his age-35 season and after the $48.8M for the coming year, is due to make $52M in the 2025-26 campaign on his current deal.