Warriors Confront Trade Deadline Dilemma After Butler’s Season-Ending ACL Tear
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The Golden State Warriors’ fourth straight victory Monday night in Miami was overshadowed by devastating news: star wing Jimmy Butler suffered a torn right ACL and will miss the remainder of the 2025/26 season.
Golden State climbed to 25-19—six games over .500 for the first time this year—and sits eighth in the Western Conference. Butler’s injury, however, forces the front office to reassess its plans with just 16 days left before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Focus Shifts to Jonathan Kuminga
Forward Jonathan Kuminga, the No. 7 overall pick in 2021, has been viewed as the club’s primary trade chip and last week requested a move when he became eligible to be dealt. He has missed 16 consecutive games and logged fewer than 10 total minutes since Dec. 6.
Head coach Steve Kerr said Monday he would “absolutely” consider putting the 23-year-old back in the rotation. Yet ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on SportsCenter that the relationship between Kerr and Kuminga is “fractured beyond repair,” and noted continued interest from the Sacramento Kings, who pursued the forward in restricted free agency over the summer. Charania added that Sacramento’s DeMar DeRozan could emerge as a potential target for Golden State if Kuminga is moved.
Limited Flexibility Under the Second Apron
The Warriors are operating within $300,000 of the second-apron hard cap, restricting their financial room in any deal. Butler’s contract—$54.1 million this season and $56.8 million in 2026/27—now carries no on-court value for the remainder of the year but still occupies a significant share of the payroll.
Along with Kuminga, guard Buddy Hield ($9.2 million cap hit) and wing Moses Moody ($11.6 million) could be included in offers. Golden State also controls multiple future first-round picks and swaps; only its 2030 first-rounder is partially protected (top-20 safeguard to Washington).
Curry Window Keeps Warriors in Buyer Mode
Despite Butler’s setback, league sources believe the Warriors prefer to remain aggressive while Stephen Curry—who turns 38 in March—continues to play at an All-Star level. Transitioning to a seller posture is considered a last resort.
Golden State must now decide whether to reintegrate Kuminga or use him to acquire immediate help that keeps the team competitive without Butler. The front office has until Feb. 5 to chart its course.
Source: Hoops Rumors
