Now, Kuminga isn\u2019t the right fit. While Warriors head coach Steve Kerr wants him to zig, he\u2019s better off zagging. To both parties credit, they attempted a compromise with him being featured in the second unit. After starting three games, he was moved to the bench; Golden State went 10-2 contests. Then Kuminga was re-inserted in the starting lineup; the Warriors went 2-5 in those games.<\/p>\n
There were myriad factors contributing to this, but Kuminga stuck out like a sore thumb. This tainted the perception of him for the remainder of the season. The fact that he would miss two months with an ankle injury didn\u2019t help, especially as the Warriors traded for Jimmy Butler<\/a> in that time.<\/p>\n Ideally, Kuminga would\u2019ve been able to leave as a restricted free agent this offseason. He\u2019s in an imperfect marriage that\u2019s become increasingly tense<\/a> and two teams \u2014the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings are hot on his trail<\/a>. However, Golden State is holding onto him for right now.<\/p>\n Kuminga could sign his qualifying or extension offer. He could even choose to holdout, hoping to manipulate the trade winds. If the Warriors do have him though, he\u2019ll likely come off the bench, which he\u2019s not a fan of.<\/p>\n Butler has a reputation for wearing out his welcome with teams or just jumping ship. That\u2019s why he\u2019s a six-time All-Star on his fifth team. In fact, Butler lasted less than two seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers. With that in mind, Stephen Curry<\/a> only has two years left on his contract.<\/p>\n Based on Butler\u2019s history, they have a 60 percent chance that he\u2019ll still be there. If he doesn\u2019t bump heads with anyone or see a better opportunity elsewhere, he probably will. If so though, there\u2019s still the matter of his performance.<\/p>\n Last season, the Warriors went 23-7 with Butler during the regular season as he averaged 17.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.7 steals per game. His playmaking and physical presence were applauded. Yet, his outside shooting has never fit Golden State\u2019s offensive philosophy.<\/p>\n Will Butler\u2019s style still work for them in Year 2?<\/p>\n In their quest to win another ring before the greatest player in the history of their franchise retires, the Warriors could try to make yet another blockbuster trade.<\/p>\n Indeed, Golden State has been linked to a number of All-NBA players over the past couple of years.\u00a0 With that in mind, never say, never but Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a> is more likely than not a pipe dream for the Warriors. Nevertheless, with Antetokounmpo\u2019s future undecided, they do have a fighter\u2019s chance of acquiring<\/a> the two-time NBA MVP. They already have Butler to entice the Bucks but a deal is much more feasible if they have Kuminga under contract as well.<\/p>\n Yet, Golden State is more likely to attain Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James<\/a> if they did make an in-season blockbuster trade. There likely aren’t many players they would move Butler for, but the four-time NBA champion and four-time NBA MVP is one. Besides, it’s not like this hasn’t been discussed before. The season before last, the Warriors called up the Lakers to see if James would want to switch sides<\/a>,<\/p>\nWhat Will Year 2 Of The Jimmy Butler Experience Be Like?<\/h3>\n
![\"Jimmy](\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2025\/04\/USATSI_25979222_168404824_lowres-300x188.jpg\")
Will They Make A Blockbuster Trade?<\/h3>\n