Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. became one of the few top executives in recent history to trade for a former teammate when acquiring Jimmy Butler at this year’s deadline. Dunleavy wasn’t deterred by how Butler’s exits with a handful of franchises ended poorly, nor his willingness to hit free agency next year (he wound up extending with the Warriors). Now, as NBA insider Jake Fischer writes, the move is paying dividends for surging Golden State.
“*There’s nobody who could explain the intricacies of Jimmy Butler better than Mike Dunleavy,*” a league source said to Fischer.
The Warriors knew they needed top-end talent, making reported pursuits of Lauri Markkanen and Paul George in the offseason as well as one for Kevin Durant at the deadline. In Butler they got that, despite him having never been coached by Steve Kerr before. They’re now 15-3 since the trade. By extending Butler, the Warriors are hoping they’re showing him how much they value what he adds to the organization.
“*This is a commitment to each other,” Dunleavy said. “I didn’t want this to be a temporary thing or a rental or anything like that. I think he feels the same way, on the backside of his career and doesn’t want to be jumping around.*”
The Warriors signed Butler to a two-year, $110.9MM extension when he arrived in Golden State.
“*I am wanted here,” Butler said. “I’m appreciated here. I’m grateful that [Dunleavy] saw what I could bring to this organization and this team.*”
We have more from the Pacific Division:
The Clippers‘ confidence in Ivica Zubac continues to grow, Janis Carr of The Orange County Register writes. He’s averaging career highs of 16.4 points and 12.6 rebounds this year. On Tuesday, he secured a 28-point, 20-rebound game and he recorded a near-triple-double in the game before with 17 points, 14 boards and eight assists. “He’s doing a good job of taking his time, making the right pass and making the right play and so he’s only going to keep getting better,” head coach Tyronn Lue said. “Give him credit for what he’s doing.”
Lue missed a second straight game due to back pain, according to the Los Angeles Times’ Broderick Turner. He previously missed four of the past six Clippers‘ games due to the injury. Assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy also missed Tuesday’s game due to personal reasons.
Kings guard Zach LaVine missed the Kings’ Wednesday game due to personal reasons, but was active for their Thursday matchup against the Bulls, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports (Twitter link). He’s averaging 22.7 points on .527/.441/.894 splits in his first 18 games with Sacramento.
Lakers coach JJ Redick said he’s “hopeful” both LeBron James and Rui Hachimura will be able to return on Saturday, according to Sportskeeda’s Mark Medina (Twitter link). We wrote on Sunday that James was expected to miss at least another week, so if he does indeed return on Sunday, it would be ahead of that timeline. Hachimura’s Saturday return seems more likely, since that original report suggested he would be able to come back within the week.