New Jimmy Butler Rumors Reveal 'Notable Progress' in Knee Injury Recovery, Targeted Return Timeline

Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler has made "notable progress" in his recovery from the surgical reconstruction of his right ACL he underwent six months ago, ESPN's Anthony Slater reported Tuesday.

Slater reported Butler "has been slowly increasing his on-court work" but won't be a full participant in training camp as he "still has extensive rehab work ahead."

"He is expected to be limited to individual court and strength work when training camp opens in a month, league sources said, with the 36-year-old forward needing more time to be cleared for a full contact setting," Slater reported.

An "optimistic target" for Butler's return would be January or February 2027, according to Slater.

That would mark a year away from NBA action for Butler, who suffered his torn ACL Jan. 19 and underwent surgery Feb. 9.

The Warriors are set to hold training camp Sept. 29 through Oct. 3 in Oahu, Hawaii.

The team is set to open the preseason Oct. 4 against the Los Angeles Clippers before tipping off the regular season Oct. 21 at the Los Angeles Lakers.

ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel reported last month it "appears very likely" Butler would be back on the floor for the Warriors before the trade deadline on Feb. 11, 2027.

According to Siegel, the Warriors' Dec. 25 matchup against the Denver Nuggets "seems to be the earliest date mentioned in conversations as a 'Hey, you never know' type of target date, but nothing is definitive."

Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy has already confirmed the Warriors are expecting to be without both Butler and Moses Moody, who underwent left knee surgery in March, for at least the opening stretch of the 2026-27 season.

The Athletic's Marcus Thompson II reported last month Moody is "targeting September to resume running and returning to on-court work."

Losing Butler and Moody after missing both Stephen Curry and Kristaps Porziņģis for extended stretches of the 2025-26 season contributed to the Warriors' elimination from last spring's play-in round.

Potentially getting both Moody and Butler back on the court by February could give the Warriors a better shot at evaluating before the next trade deadline whether a healthier version of this roster should have improved postseason hopes.