To be fair, the Golden State Warriors haven’t been the same since January 19. Since Jimmy Butler‘s ACL injury vs. the Miami Heat, the Dubs have gone 2-5. And that doesn’t look promising at all. They are straying far from championship contention, with the Play-Ins looking like the only postseason hope. However, what’s promising right now is the fresh updates on Butler’s injury.

Insider Joseph Dycus reported, “Warriors say Jimmy Butler will undergo ACL surgery in LA on February 9.” Now, Butler didn’t go the Jayson Tatum route and undergo a procedure right after the injury. Instead, he waited for over two weeks to make a decision. You may wonder why?

Elite players rarely rush ligament repair. Instead, doctors advise a pause of 2-4 weeks after injury. During this window, swelling settles and irritation fades. As a result, surgeons work on a calmer joint, which reduces the risk of stiffness and supports smoother movement once recovery begins.

Meanwhile, this waiting phase fuels focused preparation. Guided drills build quadriceps and hamstrings while improving control. Therefore, the knee enters surgery stronger and steadier. Therefore, rehabilitation moves faster, complications shrink, and the return to competition feels clearer and more confident.

Now, the timing of the Golden State Warriors‘ announcement about Jimmy Butler’s surgery move is important to note here. As you know, the Feb 5 trade deadline will close in a matter of a few hours. And all eyes are on the Dubs. Many believe that the front office could move Butler, while others say that the Warriors will retain him.

So, what will happen?

Jimmy Butler’s position in the trade market

The 36-year-old veteran forward was the only one to match Giannis Antetokounmpo’s $54 million salary. However, the Milwaukee Bucks have seemingly shut all doors, at least until the offseason, to trade their superstar. Moreover, the Golden State Warriors front office had clarified that Jimmy would be untouchable this trade season. Yet, the voices around the league believe that trading Jimmy to a different team could have enhanced their winning probability.

Top Stories

Jaxson Hayes vs Mascot: Everything You Need to Know About the Entire Episode of Altercation, Suspension and More

Fever Ownership Nowhere on Sophie Cunningham’s “Most Involved” WNBA List

LeBron James-Steph Curry Team-Up Gets Major Boost After Warriors’ Kristaps Porzingis Trade

“Forgot He Plays Basketball”: NBA Legend Blasts Warriors’ Kristaps Porzingis Trade Amid Jimmy Butler Rumor

Anthony Edwards’ Worrying Announcement Raises Concern Amid Giannis Rumor

Well, last season, the Dubs sent De’Anthony Melton to Brooklyn after his ACL injury, using his expiring contract to acquire Dennis Schroder. Later, the same contract helped them bring Jimmy from Miami. Therefore, hours before the Feb 5 deadline, if the Warriors wish for a similar financial maneuver, then that would be something worth anticipating. Because then, the Warriors could have a piece or two to fill the void beside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

Before Jimmy Butler’s ACL injury, the Warriors were on an 11-out of-15 winning record. And looking back at the ominous day, Steph Curry flinches. “I don’t think I’ve stopped thinking about it since he got hurt, to be honest…Just the human nature part of it comes in, where you feel like things change drastically,” he told Howard Beck.

With Butler on the team, Golden State has won nearly 70% of its games since February 2025. Therefore, he is indeed an important piece on the team. However, with the surgery, the 36-year-old veteran will be away from basketball action until next year. And his return timeline is hard to predict. Now, will the Warriors trade him or not remains a mystery.