Jimmy Butler, now with the Golden State Warriors, remains fond of the Miami Heat despite his departure. Set to debut as early as Saturday, Butler emphasized his desire to win his first championship, believing Golden State is the perfect place to achieve that goal. “I would like to say that I am a winner,” Butler stated. “I haven’t won the championship yet, but I want to call myself a winner.”
The Warriors made a bold move at the trade deadline, acquiring Butler in exchange for Andrew Wiggins and committing $113 million over the next two seasons. Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy praised Butler as an elite two-way player, confident that his presence alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green will strengthen their title aspirations. The first matchup between the Warriors and the Heat is set for March 25, where Miami may honor Butler’s contributions with a tribute.
Despite a turbulent exit from Miami—including suspensions and public comments about losing joy—Butler leaves as the franchise’s all-time leader in regular-season triple-doubles and ranks eighth in points, rebounds, and assists. He now looks forward to a fresh start. “I know I have my joy back now,” he said, dismissing past conflicts and expressing respect for the Heat organization.
When asked about the reason behind his trade request, Butler remained vague. “Maybe just a lot of back-and-forth discussions,” he said. “Eventually, the talking needs to end.” Now, his sole focus is on winning a championship with the Warriors.
