“I’ve been covering the league since 1997. I’ve seen a lot of crazy things happen, Nothing like last night,” ESPN reporter Ohm Youngmisuk had perfectly summed up the situation of the Warriors locker room on February 5, the day the blockbuster trade involving Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins took place. Youngmisuk’s words couldn’t be more true as the media representatives were asked to leave the Warriors locker room during their usual 30-minute window. What happened?

Golden State was set to play against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City. Pregame workouts were going on as routine. But then something unusual happened. “I see Steph [Curry] go out for his workout, then I see him back in, and it’s like, ‘That’s different. I don’t normally see that,’” NBA insider, San Francisco Standard columnist Tim Kawakami noted. Next, he found out Steve Kerr gathering his squad, which again was unnatural, according to him.

Once inside the locker room, The Athletic’s Anthony Slater noted that Wiggins’ locker didn’t have a jersey hanging. As Kerr grabbed Kyle Anderson for a chat, the veteran Warriors beat writer noticed one thing about Kerr. “This whole time, Tim, I’m sure you can attest, Steve Kerr is like distraught. You can tell he’s like teary-eyed almost.” People were going over to Wiggins, who was sitting in the corner at his locker. Then came the moment that signaled how big the trade was for Golden State.

“Moments later, the media is asked to leave the locker room because Steve Kerr is waiting right outside the door to address the team and tell them about the trade,” Youngmisuk described. “That’s the first time I’ve ever been where the media is kicked out of the locker room because the coach wants to tell them that a trade has happened.” In fact, some Warriors personnel, including assistant coach Jerry Stackhouse, also waited outside the locker room, not wanting to interrupt the meeting. Understandably, Kerr wanted to personally convey the message to Wiggins.

“When Kerr walked out, he had this gut-wrenching look on his face because he had to tell Wiggins — a guy that was a key component [of] the ’22 championship team — that they were trading him,” Youngmisuk said. Later on, Kerr went on to say, “Just had a baby boy last week. Girls in school. Wiggs is one of my favorite players I’ve ever coached. Just a wonderful soul. We don’t hang that banner in ‘22 without him…I’m gonna miss him.” The emotions were intense, indeed. But, 3 days later, the team has already begun showing signs of moving on.

Jimmy Butler’s arrival has been like a pain reliever for the Dubs

Well, let’s just say, the team has a fresh vibe and altered energies, all thanks to the 6x All-Star. On Saturday, he debuted in his jersey No.10, against the Chicago Bulls, which the Warriors won 132-111. It was a game that screamed “TYPICAL JIMMY BUTLER.” He was fierce, chasing scores, taking and making risky passes, and hitting dunks like he always does. However, Butler looked flushed and a bit tired after his first 25-point game for his new home.

The NBA insiders Anthony Slater, Tim Kawakami, and Marcus Thompson had stories to tell about the Warriors and their changes since Jimmy Butler’s arrival. On the Warriors Plus Minus podcast, they said:  “Jimmy Butler looked tired. He looked hot, he had moments where he was gassed and he was very conservative early. He was passing on matchups. And This wasn’t even like the full-throttle Jimmy Butler.”  Meanwhile, it was Stephen Curry who was happy. Why? He might have just found his missing pair in Jimmy. “The most important thing is my goodness, did Stephen Curry look zealous? He looked like he was energized. His shots were better.”

Simply put, the Baby-Faced Assassin’s relief was reflected in his game at the United Center on Saturday. Steph had been quite vocal about what he wanted the front office to do in the trading period. No desperate moves, he had suggested. And well, this whole, Jimmy Butler thing, may not be desperate, but a rather smart, well-calculated move, Mike Dunleavy Jr. pulled off. But, what could be more surprising than watching Draymond Green, admit his on-court mistakes?! What?

To begin with, Draymond missed one of Jimmy’s passes. It could’ve been a scoring pass, however, the Warriors’ veteran missed and Butler was furious. “Jimmy was mad that he didn’t catch it,” Slater, who was by the tunnel and got a perfect view shared. “It was funny…Draymond’s all ‘My bad, my bad’ and Jimmy’s like ‘No’ as he kept on.” That’s surely the most unlikely of situations you’re ever going to witness. But Butler? He’s bringing some rhythm to the Dubs, he was telling Green, “I don’t want you to think that you can’t throw that pass.” Moreover, the 35-year-old forward is the kind of star, who’d push the team into taking risky passes and turnovers.

On the other hand, the Warriors HC, Steve Kerr is back to his usual self after an emotional episode following Wiggs’ trade on Wednesday. It took him a few days to get accustomed to the fact that Jimmy Butler is on the team now. And after the first game, his previous notion of a “crisis of confidence” and that the team isn’t built to win championships anymore, seems to be fading. After Butler’s debut game, the head coach expressed his excitement. Slater said: “Steve was like, ‘Yeah, this is what he called it. He said that was pretty fun. Pretty good.”

There is no denying that Jimmy Butler‘s first game was a big sign of optimism for the franchise and the fans. He is bringing back the lost energy, he’s bringing new hope. But, the star has to remain a good player till the end of his contract and play at the highest level. And if he can do so, then, knowing him to be the Mr. Playoffs of the NBA, Jimmy could help the Golden State Warriors make it to the playoffs this season. Besides, he’s getting some extra facilities, which Pat Riley and Co. didn’t let him enjoy in Miami.

Jimmy Butler’s new side in the Bay Area

Jimmy Butler was all smiles postgame. Talkative, animated, and in high spirits. His teammates felt it, especially Kuminga, who seemed to be gravitating toward him. The locker room buzzed with energy. Meanwhile, a few Chicago media members stopped by, greeting him like an old friend. After all, this city was once his home.

But Jimmy is still Jimmy—unapologetically unique. Next to his locker, a candle flickered. “He’s quirky,” as always. He arrived at 3:30 p.m. for a 7 p.m. game, and “he always drives separately.” In Miami, that became “an issue.” But here? It’s just part of the Jimmy Butler experience. So, keeping his unique style alive and revamped, Butler is shifting the air in the Golden State Warriors. He’s the new beacon of hope in a season that simply felt like a massive downfall. So, Stephen Curry Draymond Green and head coach Steve Kerr were all enthusiastic about Jimmy. The team even played Dominos one night and it was all over his Instagram stories that were later reshared by Green. Given Jimmy’s love for Dominos and his unique dynamic with the game (” The greatest domino player in the world… Is myself.”, he says), the team seems to be gelling up well.

But it’s not just about what happens off-court. Curry pointed out how much he and Butler differ in their offensive approaches, which could make Golden State even tougher to stop. “He’s like the exact opposite player of me, which is kind of funny,” he said, according to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater. “I shot 16 threes. He shot one. He got to the free-throw line a lot, dominated the paint. I’m dominating the outside, the perimeter. Guys working around us. It has the potential to be really fun.”

Green also called the six-time All-Star a “great target” for passes, one instance being this acrobatic layup in the fourth quarter. Kerr, meanwhile, told reporters it’s “pretty fun having Jimmy on our team.” Beyond what’s visible on the court, he emphasized the “confidence and presence” Butler brings to a roster that wasn’t lacking in either already.” Looking at the vibes within the squad and among the fans, it’s clear there is joy everywhere.