NBA Scout: Jimmy Butler a 'Motherf--ker' to Play Against in Warriors 'Honeymoon Phase'
The Golden State Warriors are viewed as a threat in the 2025 NBA playoffs with recent trade acquisition Jimmy Butler quickly adjusting to his new team.
"No one will want to play them in the playoffs," an NBA scout told ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst. "Jimmy with fresh legs and motivation … honeymoon-phase Jimmy is a motherf--ker."
Golden State acquired Butler from the Miami Heat in a blockbuster five-team swap prior to the Feb. 6 trade deadline, sending out a package headlined by Andrew Wiggins in return.
The Warriors struggled to open their 2024-25 campaign, sitting at 25-26 before Butler made his team debut on Feb. 8. They've excelled since, owning a 10-1 record in the 11 contests that the six-time All-Star has appeared in.
Butler has averaged 17.1 points, 5.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 45.1 percent from the field in Golden State. He's also been locked in on both ends of the floor, owning the best net rating among all Warriors players to appear in at least 10 games this season (via NBA.com).
The veteran forward has prior experience with quick success following a change of scenery. Butler helped the Minnesota Timberwolves make the team's first playoff appearance in 14 years during his first season with the organization in 2018 after he was traded from the Chicago Bulls.
The Heat also reached the NBA Finals during Butler's inaugural year with the team in 2020.
Golden State has already turned its season around after adding the star forward and should be an imposing postseason squad if it can clinch a playoff berth.
