Mike Dunleavy shares how Jimmy Butler injury impacts Warriors NBA trade deadline
Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy speaks to reporters before Golden State's matchup against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night at Chase Center.
Mike Dunleavy shares how Jimmy Butler injury impacts Warriors NBA trade deadline originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Video Transcript
Tough, tough 24 hours here for our group.
Our organization.
Most especially crushed for Jimmy, who, uh, you know, he's having a great year, and, um, You know, obviously, that's over now.
So we're disappointed as a team.
As an organization, most especially, though, individually for For Jimmy, who's meant so much to this organization since he got here.
It's hard to believe he hasn't even been here a year.
Um, but he's fit in so well, and, uh, you know, we hate it for him.
But, you know, the beat goes on.
We've got to keep going.
And, uh, I think our team's playing really good.
I think we're playing some good, Good basketball, and so that's the bright spot here.
I don't have a positive twist on the news.
It's not good.
ACL injuries are not things that you can be positive about.
But, you know, this will all come out well in the end.
And, uh, we'll move forward and... Um, but I think, I think our team's in a good spot, obviously, we've got things to figure out.
Over the next year in terms of roster, finances, and all that.
That we'll sort through.
But, um, you know, for now, We're just kind of getting through it here the last 24 hours.
And, and we'll figure it out.
I know this is early in kind of the, The process, but how do you envision this news impacting your deadline strategy?
Yeah, I mean, tough to say.
Our team's in a different spot today than It was this time yesterday, so it will in some way.
But, um, I think it just always comes down simply to making good decisions.
And that'll be the same here.
Maybe the parameters have changed, Maybe the goalposts have moved a little bit, but... Um, you know, we'll still, uh, we're we believe in making good, sound decisions, and we'll do that, whether it's something big.
Small, whatever.
The main thing is we do the right thing.
Last year, different situation, but Melton tore his ACL.
You ended up trading the contract.
How do you envision Jimmy?
His contract, he's, you know, he's under contract next year.
His rehab and the willingness or non-willingness to, to potentially move his contract?
I mean, I don't, I don't envision that, but, um, now that you've brought it up, Um, I guess I'd say what I envision for him is, um, kind of giving us a boost next year, the same way he did last year.
And so, at some point during the season, him returning and, and being the player he's been.
I mean, at his age.
What he's doing this year, to have the year he's had.
Is impressive.
I think he's got a style of game that can play For a long time, with his skill, his physicality, his mind for the game.
So, I guess my vision for him is him, you know, returning between now and then.
This time next year.
Steph talks a lot about the importance of Playing meaningful basketball in the spring.
Is that still the front office's objective?
Is to get this team to have the opportunity to play meaningful basketball?
Yeah.
And what's your belief level that this group, without Jimmy, is capable of that?
Yeah, I don't think there's an argument that we're a better team without Jimmy Butler, so no doubt that's Um, you know, that's something we're going to have to figure out and find a way to.
Uh, win some games.
But I think this group's capable.
Um, you know, obviously with Steph and Draymond, their championship pedigree.
You add in Al, who's been there.
Melt's having a great year.
And then our young players: BP, Moses, QP.
I mean, We've got a good, deep team.
A lot of people are contributing.
And there's no doubt in my mind we can continue to win games.
Um, you know, we're just... Let's call it what it is.
We're not as good without Jimmy.
Uh, what are... What are the next steps for Jimmy's injury, like surgery-wise?
And rehab?
Yeah, I mean, it's figuring out the surgery date, and then he'll get into some rehab from there.
And, and, and, you know, it's a long road ahead, but, um.
It's a very recoverable injury, and we're optimistic about it.
And, you know, hope to get him out here as soon as we can.
Um, Mike, how do you personally feel about this type of injury?
I mean, you've known Jimmy for a long time, just as a former teammate and then was a big part in bringing him here.
How do you feel about the situation?
Also, have you talked to Jimmy?
How are his spirits right now?
Yeah, Jimmy's in good spirits.
Um, you know, I hate it for him personally.
Level, a former teammate.
I've been through some injuries.
And surgeries, but never an ACL or something this significant.
So, I know he's got a long road ahead.
But, um, he'll have the support of our group, our organization.
Our medical side, and I know he'll bounce back.
Haven't talked to you, I don't think, since the report of Kuminga's trade demand.
Um, how did you take that?
And does Jimmy's injury alter the way you're approaching what Kuminga could be, what could happen to him, you know.
By the trade deadline?
Yeah, I mean, I think as far as the demand, I'm aware of that.
Uh, I think when you, in terms of demands, when you make a demand, There needs to be demand on the market.
So, we'll see where that unfolds.
But, um, always with these guys, I tell them I'm willing to work with them.
Um, you know, I want to help people out, whether that's JK.
Um, or any player on our roster.
So, we're good with, You know, if that's his wishes, trying to figure that out.
But we've got to do what's best for our organization, and that's what we'll do.
And as far as it goes with the deadline coming up, Um, you know, I think we'll take the next couple of weeks to assess this team a little a bit more.
I felt pretty good with where we're at.
Heading into last night's game, in terms of what we needed to do.
I thought our team was playing really well, heading in the right direction.
Obviously, things have changed, so I want to take a couple of weeks here to, to watch these games and see our team, and what we can do better.
Mike, to follow up, you.
To follow up on Kuminga, Have you talked to him much in the last few days?
Yeah.
Do you get the sense that, if the opportunity presents itself, That he will still play here?
I hope so.
I mean, I think that's a question for him, um, you know.
As far as the playing time and all that goes, that's more so for Steve.
But, um, yeah, I hope he'd play and be bought in.
I'd hope so.
And to kind of close that part out, As an organization, would you be comfortable if he played...?
Leading into the deadline still?
Oh, yeah, for sure.
I mean, he's available every night, and I think there's a path for him to help.
Us win games.
He knows what that is.
If he can do those things, there's no doubt, I think he can help us.
Mike, as you explore all the options and possible trade options, How much value are you placing on your draft picks or future draft picks?
And is it conceivable that that could possibly be in play?
Yeah, I mean, I think our picks always will and have been in play.
You just, to give up our picks, it's got to be meaningful to get something back.
And so for that reason, there are only so many players out there.
That probably warrants putting stuff like that on the table.
But, you know, we're looking at everything.
Um, you know.
Joe Lacob's our owner, so you're always exploring all possibilities.
Willing to do any type of deal.
And, um, you know, Maybe stuff has changed a little bit with Draymond, I mean.
With Jimmy's injury, but I'm not sure how much that affects us.
Aggressiveness.
We're going to have to kind of see on that.
Just as far as whether Jonathan Kuminga rejoins the rotation.
What do you think about that possibility after he hasn't played in a game?
He hasn't played in 16 straight games?
The unusualness and maybe the awkwardness frankly, of the situation.
Yeah, I think, um, You know, I'd hope he's ready.
Um, that's the job as a professional.
To stay ready, be ready.
I think Steve's communicated that to him.
So if his number's called, I would expect him to go out there and play well.
Um, but yeah, it's a tough situation for him not having played.
Um, but, you know, there's guys, De'Anthony Melton, what, played 10 games in a year.
So it's doable to kind of get your rhythm and get back in the flow.
And, um, like I said, If his number's called by Steve, we expect him to do that.
Uh, Mike, how do you feel, just adding on to Kuminga, how do you feel about Situation has evolved?
I'm probably disappointed it hasn't.
Worked out better, but, you know, it is what it is.
And, without getting into it too much, you know, I think I have a pretty good understanding of what's gone on, and, um...
But there's still, You know, there's still time left here.
He's on our roster.
I know a trade has been requested, but nothing's imminent.
And, um, you know, things in this league can change in a heartbeat.
As they did last night.
So, he's got to be ready.
And, uh, you know, we'll be ready.
Uh, piggybacking on Monty's question about the future assets you have to trade, What level of player would really entice you to want to make a deal like that?
Are we talking a starter, another All-Star?
You know?
Given where this team is and what the goal is, to compete for what's left.
Of Steph's prime, what would really get you to maybe shove some of those chips in?
I mean, I think if we're talking about trading draft picks that will go out when Steph isn't here, they're going to have to- it's going to have to be a player Getting back, that is gonna be here when those picks are going out.
So, um, and we're going to, and that player's going to have to be impactful.
So it would take a good amount, positionally, play style.
Archetype, all that.
I leave it pretty broad and open.
But if there's a great player to be had, um, You know, we've got everything in the war chest that we we'd be willing to use.
Obviously, several weeks to go before the deadline.
Have you had general conversations?
Have there been any discussions about frameworks of deals, or is that still to be determined?
To be determined?
No, I think there's a lot of dialogue.
Along, going on around the league.
Um, you know, We talk to all these teams.
Everybody's talking to each other, Feeling each other out.
We really haven't seen any trades yet, Which is usually two weeks away.
You'll see, uh, one or two.
But, um, you know, I think there's been some good discussions.
And it seems stuff will start to heat up here, um, next couple of weeks.
As we know, so we'll see.
But I think for us, You know, for this injury, better now than two weeks from now or three.
It gives us an opportunity to assess if there's something we can do.
To help us out.
But, um, yeah, all in all, not great.
Uh, not much money on the books committed beyond 2027.
How much discussion has there been about that as a potential inflection point?
And what would it require for you guys to take on salary beyond 2027 in a trade?
Yeah, I mean, I think that's something that's important to us, for sure.
The salary stuff nowadays is so big.
These aprons are very challenging.
So, you have to be careful about the money you're taking on.
Both short-term and long-term, how much it is.
Um, yeah.
I would say the same thing, along the lines as the picks.
I mean, we'll take on money beyond that, but it's got to be worthwhile.
Mike, you brought up trade demand.
There needs to be a demand on the other.
Side as well.
What have you felt Jonathan's market has been?
And have youis there any concern that these DMPs have hurt his value when it Trade market?
Uh, no concern.
Uh, market, I'll keep to myself.
