Warriors Weigh Options for Injured Star Jimmy Butler

Golden State faces tough decisions on Butler's future amid rehab and contract uncertainty.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:52pm

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A cubist, geometric painting featuring sharp, overlapping planes of blue, gold, and red, conceptually representing the difficult decisions facing the Golden State Warriors organization.An abstract illustration captures the complex challenges facing the Warriors as they weigh the future of injured star Jimmy Butler.Today in Miami

After Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending ACL injury, the team's front office must consider whether to trade him this offseason. Butler's injury and lack of a timetable for return will diminish his trade value, but he could still have value as an expiring contract. The Warriors had found success with Butler on the floor before his injury, and the team remains optimistic he can help them when he returns. However, Butler's history of contract disputes could lead him to try to leverage the team for a new deal when he's healthy.

Why it matters

The Warriors' decisions on Butler's future will be a major storyline this offseason, as the team also faces questions around Draymond Green's contract and the status of head coach Steve Kerr. Butler's injury and potential contract demands add complexity to the Warriors' offseason planning as they look to build a contender around Stephen Curry.

The details

According to reports, the market for Butler won't be as strong as it once was due to the ACL injury, but he could still have value as an expiring contract. The Warriors had found success with Butler on the floor before his injury, winning 12 of their last 16 games with him in the lineup. The team remains optimistic that Butler can provide a different look that plays well off Curry when he returns. However, Butler has a history of contract disputes, and he may attempt to leverage the team for a new deal when he's healthy, despite expressing happiness with the Warriors' culture.

  • Butler suffered a season-ending ACL injury in late March 2026.
  • Butler will be 37 years old in September 2026.

The players

Jimmy Butler

A 37-year-old forward for the Golden State Warriors who is currently rehabbing from a season-ending ACL injury.

Stephen Curry

The star point guard for the Golden State Warriors.

Draymond Green

A veteran forward for the Golden State Warriors who has a $27.7 million team option for the upcoming season.

Steve Kerr

The head coach of the Golden State Warriors, whose contract is set to expire.

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What they’re saying

“The market for Butler won't figure to sizzle, since he'll be coming off an ACL injury. But he could have value as a huge expiring contract.”

— Nick Friedell and Marcus Thompson II, The Athletic reporters

“Kerr and Dunleavy remain optimistic that whenever he can return, he will provide the Warriors with a different look, one that plays well off Curry, and can help them succeed.”

— Nick Friedell and Marcus Thompson II, The Athletic reporters

“Feel like I just had surgery on my ACL five weeks ago. All in all, I'm good. Happy.”

— Jimmy Butler

What’s next

The Warriors will need to decide whether to pick up Draymond Green's $27.7 million team option for the upcoming season. They will also need to determine if they will re-sign head coach Steve Kerr, whose contract is set to expire.

The takeaway

The Warriors face a critical offseason with several key decisions to make, including the future of injured star Jimmy Butler. Butler's injury and potential contract demands add complexity to the team's offseason planning as they look to build a contender around Stephen Curry.