Jan 3, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) drives down the court against the Utah Jazz during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images
Jan 3, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) drives down the court against the Utah Jazz during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images
Things did not go according to plan for the Golden State Warriors this summer, but preparations have already begun for the upcoming NBA season. With mostly the same roster as the last campaign, expectations remain relatively low for this team, but Jimmy Butler’s play will determine much of their success.
Butler hasn’t played since January as he continues his recovery from a right ACL tear, but the latest update spells good news for his health and his future with the organization. According to Anthony Slater, he’s been rehabbing all summer to regain the strength in his knee. While he’s still months away from action, he’s making steady progress and continues to fulfill his duties as a veteran leader for the team.
“He just spent his birthday this week in Brazil, hanging out with Neymar. He’s had a good summer as far as the rehab goes. He’s very much in the middle months, the middle stages of his long ACL rehab,” said Anthony Slater. “I’ve heard good updates on the progress of the strengthening of his knee, but he’s still months away from being on an NBA court. The team is going to open camp in Hawaii in a couple of weeks, and he’s expected to be able to do some individual stuff on the side. Eventually, he’ll hit the checkpoints, but even though he won’t be on the court to start the season, he is still obviously a big leader for the team and, from what I’ve heard, he’s going to gather the team for an organized player-only event next week in Southern California.”
Butler, 37, was traded to the Warriors in February of 2025 in a multi-team trade that involved Andrew Wiggins, Davion Mitchell, and Dennis Schroder (among others). As a six-time All-Star and 5x All-NBA player with multiple Finals appearances, the Warriors felt Butler was the right fit to help aid Steph Curry in the final act of his career.
They never foresaw his injury just 38 games into the 2025-26 campaign, and his prolonged absence has led to many doubts and pessimism about their situation. Fortunately, while the process has not been easy, Butler is making strides toward his return, and there are even whispers that he’s ahead of his initial timeline. Even more encouraging is that Butler is still actively engaged with the team, going as far as to organize a player-only event next week.
In the end, while Jimmy Butler’s long-term future in Golden State remains uncertain, he’s determined to make the most of whatever time he has left with them. As someone who has delivered in the highest stakes, he’s earned the benefit of the doubt, and the Warriors will be waiting to see how his return can impact their performance.
With averages of 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game on 51.9% shooting from the field in 2025-26, we saw what Butler could do for the Warriors when healthy, and they will need that production once again to have any hope of keeping up with the Thunder, Spurs, and Timberwolves in the West.