The Golden State Warriors made a decision to add a big name on the final day of the trade deadline. And Jimmy Butler is making an instant impact. It’s been just four games since his debut as a Warrior. The franchise has won three of them. Their single loss was a nail-biting finish against the Dallas Mavericks. Likewise, the Warriors are soaring from their previous standards.

What’s been surprising, though, is just how quickly Butler has managed to slot into Kerr’s tactics. Remember, he isn’t a high-volume shooter who compliments the Warriors’ offensive schemes. What’s happened though is he is getting the easy looks playing off Stephen Curry. And his hustle and ferocity on defense has changed “the whole dynamic of our defense” as per Kerr.

But Jimmy Butler isn’t surprised to see his transition. The former disgruntled Heat star akins it to the quality of players within the Warriors. Yet, he is still pissed. “When you put a bunch of good basketball players together on the floor, they always figure out a way to win. We should be 4-0. I’m not going to lie to you. Sick to my stomach because of it since I got here. But we’re going to figure it out,” Jimmy Butler said after tonight’s win over the Houston Rockets.

The “sick” feeling is from the Mavericks game. Butler was called for an offensive foul with a chance to tie the game, which kept the Warriors from having a perfect record since his move. But tonight those mistakes weren’t heavily present. Although not as efficient, Jimmy Butler added 19 points to the mix. The Bay led by as many as 24 during the game and outplayed the Rockets.

The 35-year-old recorded the highest net differential at +10. Since his trade, the Warriors have looked like a different squad altogether. And it’s largely due to the influence Jimmy Butler has had on the locker room.

Jonathan Kuminga is learning from Jimmy Butler

Throughout his time in the NBA, Butler has earned a reputation as a team leader. On the court, his ways of adapting stem from constant communication. Likewise, Steve Kerr has seen flashes of the same in the time he has spent with the six-time All-Star. He considers him a “lion”.

And some of the younger teammates view Butler as a mentor. Notably, Jonathan Kuminga is excited to have him on board.

The slashing forward has been on the sidelines due to an ankle sprain since January. But he too is an archetype that isn’t a typical Warriors fit. Kuminga thrives off his burst and has the ability to pressure the rim. That’s how Jimmy Butler operates. And the youngster sees some commonalities. Hence, all he wants to do is learn from one of the modern-day greats.

“It’s great for us. I think it’s actually great for me, being around him, trying to pick up some of the stuff he does. I feel like I see myself kind of like having a similar type of game,” he told NBC. Butler himself is in awe of the prospect that Kuminga is. And he envisions them spending a lot of time together as he looks to dispel his wisdom onto the younger Warrior.

“I figure we’ll spend a lot of time together. I would like to think I’ll make his job a lot easier and he’ll also make my job easier. He’s another individual they’re going to have to guard, they’re going to have to pay attention to. Then on defense, you got another quote, unquote ‘MFer’ that can switch, that can challenge shots, that can get out into the open floor,” he said of JK.

It seems a relationship is in the works. And with this being the last window for a title, Kuminga’s rise could have a great influence on how the wave flows for the Warriors.