The energy, excitement, and jitters are all back for Jimmy Butler, just like in his rookie year. In the 2011-12 season, he averaged only 2.6 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in 42 games. Obviously, this season’s stat sheet won’t look anything like that. He has come a long way. He’s entering his first full season with the Dubs, buzzing for the opener against the Lakers on October 21. But what does anything have to do with his debut pro year?

“I spoke to somebody very close to Jimmy Butler, who said that he treated this past offseason like he was going into his rookie year. He’s really determined to get in there and try to make a legitimate run for this Golden State Warriors squad. He still got Draymond Green, who I still feel is one of the top defensive players in this league,” Chris Haynes said on NBA TV.

But the Bay Area veteran’s season goal largely rests in the hands of a certain 23-year-old. “I think, as long as they can stay healthy, the one thing I’m curious about is the cooperation of Jonathan Kuminga. How are they going to allow him to have a bigger role? That’s what I’m looking for, seeing,” Haynes said.

Jimmy Butler is a core member of the Warriors, alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Since joining Golden State at the trade deadline, he’s been a steady force, posting a 23-7 record while averaging 17.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists over 30 games, shooting an efficient 47.6% from the field. But amid all the talk about an aging roster and wear and tear with the stars mentioned above, can they really pull it off this time?

Last season, the Warriors’ title hopes were derailed by injuries, most notably when Curry went down with a hamstring strain in Game 1 of the West Semifinals against the Timberwolves. That injury ended their series in just five games, despite having beaten the Rockets in seven games to reach the second round. 

That makes staying healthy this season the most significant point. Bleacher Report also projects a healthy Golden State squad could easily rank among the league’s top 5 contenders. And the good news? Jimmy Butler is listed as probable for the opener against the Lakers, along with Jonathan Kuminga, giving fans reason to be optimistic. He rolled his ankle in practice and missed the preseason game against the LA side.

Kenzo Fukuda of ClutchPoints noted that “both players participated in Golden State’s light practice today. Wing depth needed to deal with Luka Doncic with no Moses Moody.”

But how does Jimmy Butler’s fate depend on Jonathan Kuminga? The Warriors might look loaded at guard, but when it comes to true forwards, things get thin. Beyond Draymond Green, only Gui Santos fits that mold. That’s why players like Butler and Kuminga become crucial pieces of Kerr’s puzzle. Even though they won’t share the floor too often, Golden State will likely have one of them out there for most of the game, keeping the energy up and the defense guessing. 

The Warriors’ projected starting five for the opener includes Butler, Curry, Green, Horford, and Podziemski. Coming off the bench will be Payton II, Hield, Moody, Kuminga, and Post. But with Moody likely sidelined with a calf injury, the big question is who takes that fifth starting spot: Kuminga or Horford. 

The veteran was initially expected to start at center, but Steve Kerr’s comments about limiting his minutes to around 20 per game have raised doubts. Given Luka Doncic’s size and dominance, Kerr might lean on JK to handle the defensive challenge, allowing Butler and Green to save some energy for offense.

Kuminga’s return after ending his summer-long holdout and signing a two-year, $48.5 million deal gives the Bay a huge boost. His presence, along with depth pieces like Melton, Payton II, Moody, and Podz, should help Kerr manage the minutes of his veteran trio of Butler, Curry, and Green.

Jimmy Butler opens up about finding peace in the Golden State Warriors

Jimmy Butler’s Miami chapter didn’t end quietly. Back in January, he made it clear he wanted out. “I want to see me getting my joy back playing basketball,” he bluntly said. Not long after, his wish was granted. Miami shipped him off to Golden State in a five-team blockbuster that sent Andrew Wiggins the other way. A messy breakup, sure, but one that worked out for both sides. He recently reflected on all that’s happened in 2025.

“All that noise, all that chaos paid off in a major way. I’m lucky to be part of this phenomenal organization. Everywhere starts off great, but then you know someone has to be the bad guy, and it gets to be me. I’m always the one doing something unbearable all of a sudden. But that’s okay. I get to play in this wonderful league, with amazing teammates. But being here, they’ve only got one goal, To keep hanging those things up on the wall. Ain’t no hidden agendas,” the Warriors veteran reflected.

Butler’s stint in Miami started on all the right notes. When he arrived from Philly in 2019, he often said, “The Heat allow me to be me.” And for a while, that was true. He dragged that team to two NBA Finals, in 2020 and again in 2023, even bagging the Eastern Conference Finals MVP during the latter run.

Butler was a two-time All-Star with the Heat, made it to a couple of All-NBA and All-Defensive teams, and even led the league in steals (2.1) during the 2020-21 season.

The veteran’s 56-point outburst in the playoffs remains a franchise record and an evergreen moment too. However, as the years passed, things soured…

The Heat front office failed to bring in enough help; several of Butler’s favorite undrafted teammates (like Strus and Vincent) were gone, and Miami started questioning his long-term value.

The tension finally snapped over money. He wanted a two-year, $113 million extension, while Pat Riley and the Heat brass wanted to wait. The reasoning?

Jimmy Butler had missed nearly a quarter of the team’s games and hadn’t looked like the same relentless competitor every night. The fallout got ugly: suspensions for reported missed flights and walkouts piled up, and soon after, he publicly admitted he’d lost his happiness in Miami. 

The Heat, tired of managing the drama and the headlines that came with it, moved on, while Jimmy Butler packed up his trademark grit and took it to the Bay Area. The Warriors, who went 22–5 with Playoff Jimmy and Curry sharing the floor, look like a team reborn. And Butler? He’s got his joy back.