Emotional Steve Kerr Publicly Pleads Adam Silver for Change as Jimmy Butler Trade Takes Heavy Toll

This NBA trade deadline has been straight-up wild. Huge names are on the move—Luka Doncic, Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram—who’s next? Some deals have gone down at the worst possible moments, and the Warriors got hit hard. Imagine getting ready for a game, then suddenly being called into the locker room. That’s what happened to Golden State’s players and coaches before tip-off against the Jazz. The bombshell? Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson, and Lindy Waters III all unavailable, the team was left shorthanded. No surprise, they lost 131-128.

It’s clear that the trade had affected Steve Kerr’s plans. Kerr couldn’t hide his emotions when talking about the decision to trade Andrew Wiggins. It was clear that the move hit him hard. Kerr shared an emotional response about the players involved.

“Wiggs just had a baby boy last week. Girls in school. You know, Wigs is one of my favorite players I’ve ever coached. Just a beautiful soul, just a wonderful human being. And you know, we don’t hang that banner in 2022 without him,” Kerr said.

He also spoke highly of the other players impacted by the trade. Looks like emotions really got the better of Kerr and it showed in the game. That’s why Kerr suggested the NBA should rethink its trade deadline timing, so it doesn’t interfere with regular-season games. He proposed moving the deadline to the All-Star break or adding two off-days right before the deadline.

Kerr said, “I think the league should consider making the trade deadline at the All-Star break, just so you don’t have to face these games where guys are getting traded half an hour before a game. You’re trying to process and trying to win a game, I don’t know if that’s possible, but it would be great if we could move it back or make the last couple of days before the deadline off days. I don’t know how to do it, but these are tough days for sure.” 

It’s tough when trades happen so close to a game, and Kerr’s suggestion could give teams a bit more time to adjust. It’ll be interesting to see if Adam Silver takes note of this. Because even the way he had to break it down for his players was heartbreaking.

Steve Kerr exited the locker room with his head down before the game

On Wednesday, the Golden State Warriors caught everyone off guard. Typically, the media gets 45 minutes to hang out in the locker room before games, but the Warriors flipped the script. They booted reporters out just before their matchup against the Utah Jazz. Why? Steve Kerr needed some private time with the team.

Things got weirder when they called players like Stephen Curry off the court to join the meeting, as reported by ESPN‘s Ohm Youngmisuk. Not long after, the world got the big news: Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, Dennis Schroder, and Lindy Waters III were being traded. In return, the Warriors were bringing in Jimmy Butler, the disgruntled Heat star.

This trade was far from your typical move. Sure, we’ve seen awkward moments before—like Harrison Barnes getting traded during a game with the Mavericks. But this one takes the top spot. Players being held out with fake injuries to prevent messing up a trade is one thing. But having the entire team called back to the locker room so Kerr could deliver the bad news? That’s another level of weird.

Kerr’s body language afterward said it all. It looked like he was walking around with his head down, probably because telling guys they’re moving their families last minute isn’t easy. Plus, now he’s got to manage both Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler on the same team. That’s a recipe for awkwardness. It’s safe to say, this was one bizarre trade reveal.