Will Jimmy Butler be an addition that changes the Golden State Warriors last season’s play-in fate? The fans from the Bay area would remember the devastating loss of GSW against Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament and subsequent squashing of championship aspirations. However, with Playoff Jimmy on the team after his $121 Million trade, things could turn around differently this time. However, Charles Barkley, for one, is not raising his hopes too high.

“Jimmy is a very good player but I don’t think it’s going to move the needle. Are they better than they were yesterday? Probably, but they’re still not at the top. They’re going to be in the play in…” Chuck said on Inside the NBA. That’s a harsh reality check, but does he have a point?

There’s no doubt Butler is a fierce competitor, but the fit with Golden State raises some eyebrows. At 35, can he still be the difference-maker they need? More importantly, after being the unquestioned leader in Miami, will he be willing to take a backseat to Stephen Curry? That’s not an easy adjustment for a player of Jimmy Butler’s caliber.

Then there’s the locker room dynamic. According to Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor, even Curry had concerns about Butler’s fit with the team given previous reports of his conduct with his teammates. And to make things even more cloudy, Butler himself wasn’t all that eager to join the Warriors.

As per the reports, the 6x All-Star had indicated that he wouldn’t re-sign with the GSW if traded since he had Phoenix Suns on his mind. But thanks to Bradley Beal not waiving his no-trade clause, Butler eventually landed with the Warriors. So for now, he might have no option to make things work. And it’s not as if there are no members of the NBA community who see this work.

Magic Johnson holds faith in Jimmy Butler and the Warriors’ union

According to Johnson, Butler moving to GSW was not just a good move, but a match made in basketball heaven. Right after the trade, the Lakers legend took to X, calling the 6x All-Star’s arrival in Golden State a near-perfect fit for both sides. “With the addition of Jimmy Butler Golden State becomes a more explosive team,” Johnson declared. And he wasn’t just throwing around compliments—he had receipts to back it up. The Hall of Famer broke it down into three key advantages Butler brings to the table.

“Steph gets a running mate that give the Warriors scoring, defense and toughness. The best thing about Butler is that he always takes his game to another level in the Playoffs,” Johnson wrote. Hard to argue with that. The 6x All-Star isn’t just a star—he’s a postseason monster.

Since landing in Miami in 2019, he’s delivered some of the most jaw-dropping playoff performances we’ve seen. Remember his 40-point triple-double in the 2020 Finals? Or the clutch 47-point explosion in Boston to keep the Heat alive in 2022? And let’s not forget the 56-point takeover against the Bucks in 2023.

But how will his talents work for the GSW? Well, all fans can do is wait and witness it for themselves.