Ever since the Warriors signed Jimmy Butler from the Heat in exchange of a 5 team deal that included Andrew Wiggins going the other way, they’ve been flying. They’ve won 4 of their 5 games with Buckets in the squad, and they’re all set to pull a back end masterclass in their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs. But he wasn’t their first option, according to Steve Kerr.

Coach Kerr and GM Mike Dunleavy Jr. had been looking for a player to partner the likes of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. But this call was made in the summer as opposed to the most recent trade window, which ended on February 6th. “I think Mike Dunleavy knew we needed a shakeup. We just did-we were kinda treading water and even though we loved our group, we traded away guys we felt really strongly about. There were just times where occasionally you had to make a move, you had to sense it, feel it,” said Kerr.

The initial targets for the Bay Area Warriors were that of the Lauri Markkanen-Paul George duo. The Finnisher has averaged 19.2 points and 6 rebounds in 42 games this season, shooting with a 42.6 FG%. In what’s been another disappointing season for the Jazz which has left them languishing 14th in the West, Lauri’s rise has been a silver lining for them. On the other hand, the evergreen Paul George has been outshining his own team as well, shooting with a 42.8 FG% while averaging 16.2 points and 6 rebounds per game for the 76ers. Had Warriors capitalised on their chances, they’d have to cough up a total of $406 million for the pair. Lauri’s contract with the Jazz is about $195,868,144, while PG-13’s contract comes up to $211,584,940.

Kerr praised the GM’s foresight on needing the partner for Curry and Draymond from early on. “I thought Mike and the front office did a great job of sorting through everything really starting from last summer and when we didn’t get any of the guys, we were looking for the top of the free agent list, Mike said last summer we’re gonna sign some good players and we’re gonna be patient and if we can make a move at the trade deadline, then that’s the plan,” said Kerr during a post-match press conference. They eventually did choose Heat rebel Jimmy Butler, and have capitalised on his skills since.

Jimmy Butler’s form revitalizes Warriors’ playoff hopes

The Warriors were on the path to mediocrity again this season- well, that’s until they signed Jimmy Buckets from the Heat. After a very public showing of tension where Butler all but forced the Miami side to transfer him out, the Warriors picked him up on a two-year, $112 million contract extension. While that might seem like a bit much for a 35-year-old outcast, he’s showed that he has the skills to pay the bills.

Their season record jumped from 25-24 to 29-27 ever since they got Jimmy Buckets to partner the Baby-Faced Assassin and Day-Day. Draymond has admitted Butler’s impact himself, saying “I think we all sense that we needed something like that. It wasn’t just like- you make this small move or this like, no- you need someone that’s coming in and bringing life and fear into other teams- that’s what Jimmy is.”

Seems like the Warriors have found their footing after signing Jimmy Butler. While Steve Kerr admitted he had to let go of a few loved players from the squad, Butler’s first 5 games in the Bay Area blue and golden yellow shows that it might’ve worked out for the better. Up next, Kerr and Co. face Kyrie Irving‘s Dallas Mavericks in the hopes of exacting revenge on the Texan team after they got the better of them the last time they met, winning 111-107.