One potential Warriors trade option to respond to the Lakers adding Luka Doncic appears to have fizzled Sunday night.
Jimmy Butler, the disgruntled Miami star, has told the Warriors he is not interested in joining them, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. The message came after Golden State signaled it would not sign him to an extension beyond this season, Windhorst reported.
The report included a two-word caveat — “for now” — that signals things could change again before the NBA’s trade deadline Thursday at 12 p.m. Pacific.
Before Los Angeles’ surprise mega-deal Saturday night to land Doncic in exchange for Anthony Davis, Butler’s name was the biggest to make the rounds across much of the league. The Warriors have been linked to the 35-year-old for months now as they seek more punch in their lineup to maximize the end of Steph Curry’s prime.
But Butler, who is now suspended indefinitely by the Heat after two prior suspensions this season for conduct detrimental to the team, appears focused on securing a deal commensurate with his six All-Star appearances even as he ages.
The do-it-all forward is making $48.8 million this season and has a $52.4 million player option for next year, according to Spotrac. He has played 25 games and is averaging 17.0 points and 5.3 rebounds — both 10-year lows.
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The Warriors and the Phoenix Suns are the two teams to have been consistently linked to Butler, who is no stranger to making a fuss on his way out of town.
Golden State has rotation players on expiring contracts, which Miami is reported to covet in any Butler trade, in Gary Payton II, Dennis Schroder and Kevon Looney. The Warriors also have their own first-round picks each year through 2031, though they will likely strive to protect those in any short-term deal.
Whether Butler, a big personality, would fit into a locker room with Curry and the demonstrative Draymond Green as leaders also remains to be seen, and could be part of why Golden State would hesitate to commit to an extension.
