Warriors Forward Still on Thin Ice Despite Surviving Trade Deadline

It may be overshadowed by the Luka Doncic trade at the deadline but the Golden State Warriors made one of the biggest blockbuster moves of the season when they traded for Jimmy Butler on Wednesday.

A desperate move from a desperate team, the Warriors sent Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, Dennis Schroder, Lindy Waters III, and a first-round pick to the Miami Heat in exchange for Butler. Immediately after the move, the Warriors signed Butler to a two-year, $121 million extension that will keep him in the Bay Area through the 2026-27 season.

The Warriors are betting on Butler to get back to his Playoff Jimmy self now that he is out of Miami. There are obvious age-related concerns and fit issues, especially offensively, with the Steph Curry-Draymond Green-Butler trio, but the talent upgrade alone makes this a worthy upside play for the Warriors.

The acquisition of Butler also puts Jonathan Kuminga on thin ice. Against all odds, the 22-year-old survived the trade deadline and will be a part of this team as they chase a playoff spot and hope for a deep postseason run.

Jonathan Kuminga is Officially on Thin Ice in Golden State

Things will be a little different for Kuminga now. His skill set is somewhat redundant with Butler's. Now that Butler will get a ton of on-ball reps, Kuminga will have to settle for an off-ball role. He has to space the floor and knock down open shots to be a viable option in a potentially cramped Warriors offense.

Butler's massive salary also makes it unlikely that the Warriors will be able to give Kuminga the contract he desires. The talented forward is a free agent after this season, and considering how expensive Golden State is, paying Curry, Green, and Butler over $135 million for next season, it's hard to imagine Kuminga fitting into their long-term financial plans.

Unless Kuminga comes back from his current injury, plays well, and the Warriors make a deep playoff run, the former No. 7 overall pick's time in San Francisco may be over after the season.