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Warriors' Jimmy Butler gets eye-opening trade update from ESPN analyst coming off ACL injury
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- Warriors' Jimmy Butler gets eye-opening trade update from ESPN analyst coming off ACL injury
Warriors' Jimmy Butler gets eye-opening trade update from ESPN analyst coming off ACL injury originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Golden State Warriors are likely to have an up-and-down season this year, no matter how you look at it. The team could struggle early without Jimmy Butler, as he continues to work his way back from injury.
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The Warriors lost Butler last season against the Miami Heat , and he ultimately required surgery on his torn ACL.
"Injured Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler underwent successful surgery on his torn right ACL on Monday morning in Los Angeles, the team announced," ESPN's Anthony Slater wrote. "Butler suffered the injury on Jan. 19 in a win over the Miami Heat. He consulted several specialists for the surgery, landing on Dr. Bert Mandelbaum, who performed it on Monday morning with a few members of the Warriors' organization on hand."
There is no official timeline for Butler's return, but there is hope that he will be back before the trade deadline.
"If Butler can get back on the floor before the trade deadline, which appears very likely at the moment, this organization will be able to figure out their plan heading into the trade madness and what their playoff outlook is," NBA insider Brett Siegel wrote.
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If the Warriors struggle to find success this season, Butler could become an intriguing trade piece. ESPN's Brian Windhorst recently explained why Butler's expiring contract could make him attractive to other teams.
"I know there's been a whole bunch of discussion dating back to last trade deadline about Jimmy Butler. Him coming off the ACL he could function as a huge expiring contract in a trade. I don't think they're operating with day to day. But if player/acquisition comes to the four, they could use that," Windhorst wrote.
Steph Curry and Draymond Green have clearly enjoyed playing with Butler and appreciate what he brings to the team. However, if Golden State can land significant talent in return and use that haul to build around Curry for the final stages of his career, it could be a move worth considering.
Butler would be a valuable piece for any contender, but the possibility of acquiring a strong collection of talent in return could make the Warriors more willing to part ways with him. His future in the Bay Area will be something to monitor closely as the season progresses.
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