Jimmy Butler Declares He Won't Be 'Bumass Player' After Returning to Warriors from Knee Injury

As he continues to rehab the torn ACL that cut his 2025-26 season short, Golden State Warriors star Jimmy Butler is vowing to return in familiar form.

Speaking this week to ESPN's Anthony Slater, Butler said, "I just want to help those guys win another [title], man. And get me one. I felt I let them down. Now, as I'm going through this rehab process, as I'm starting to move and run and jump, I'm like, oh s--t, I could still do it. And that's why I say y'all motherf--kers going to be real shocked if y'all think I'm going to come back and be some bum-ass player."

Butler was off to a strong start last season in what was his first full season with the Warriors after arriving in a trade from the Miami Heat the previous season.

The now-37-year-old Butler was averaging 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game in 38 appearances, and Golden State was off to a solid 25-19 start.

However, Butler tore his ACL during a January game against the Heat, and Golden State was not the same team for the rest of the season, losing eight of its final 10 games and 18 of its last 25.

The 37-45 Warriors made it into the postseason play-in tournament, but they fell to the Phoenix Suns and missed the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.

It is unclear exactly when Butler will be able to return to game action, but Warriors head coach Steve Kerr mentioned February as a target during a discussion with Slater.

The Warriors didn't make many significant changes to their roster, meaning they will have to lean on familiar faces like Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Brandin Podziemski, as well as rookie first-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg, until Butler returns.

It is fair to wonder if the Warriors have enough firepower to remain in the hunt until Butler returns, but if they do and Butler plays similar to the level he displayed last season, then Golden State has a chance to return to the playoffs and do some damage.