A refreshed and relocated Jimmy Butler assures he’s in “a really good place mentally” as he aims to make his debut with the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.
Traded this week from the Miami Heat after a string of suspensions, including for conduct detrimental to the team, Butler hopes to suit up against the organization that drafted him, the host Chicago Bulls.
Golden State is eager for his services. The Warriors have lost three of four and are on the fringe of the Western Conference play-in race. Scoring support for veterans Steph Curry and Draymond Green could go a long way toward a surge in the stretch run.
“I know that I have my joy back now,” Butler said. “I’m in a different situation, a different group of guys. Can’t wait to be out there and compete.”
Butler spent his first six NBA seasons in Chicago, but the Warriors will mark his fourth franchise since he joined the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017-18.
Golden State coach Steve Kerr said the front office is confident about Butler’s commitment and motivation amid previous drama with the Heat.
“Players sometimes need a fresh start. So do teams,” Kerr said. “That’s the whole idea behind this. I know he’s excited and ready to go just from talking with him. I think we’re going to get the very best version of him. That’s why we made the deal.”
Chicago was active before the trade deadline, too, shipping leading scorer Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings as part of a three-team trade that also included the San Antonio Spurs.
That seemed to signify a move toward a long-term organizational rebuild. Still, the Bulls stood pat and didn’t move other veterans, such as big man Nikola Vucevic, as was rumored.
Despite 10 losses in the past 14 games, Chicago entered Friday one game ahead of Philadelphia for 10th place and the final slot in the East play-in tournament.
“I know us as players in this locker room, we are going to go out and try to win every game,” Chicago’s Coby White said. “I like the group of guys we’ve got. We’ve got guys who want to compete and win.
“We’re not perfect; we’re still figuring things out. I feel like we’re going to compete. We play hard every night, so we’ve got to continue to climb this mountain.”
Rookie Matas Buzelis has accelerated his development while getting increased minutes. Buzelis scored a career-best 24 points on 10-for-10 shooting to key Tuesday’s come-from-behind 133-124 win against the Butler-less Heat.
Buzelis contributed 14 points during a 19-point loss at Minnesota on Wednesday in his first career start and has finished in double figures in five straight games.
“Now we move onto the next game and maybe I start and maybe I don’t,” Buzelis said. “But it doesn’t matter to me. I’m always going to be ready to play.”
Golden State has won eight of the past 10 meetings with Chicago, although the teams have split the last two season series.
The Bulls need a win Saturday to accomplish that feat for a third straight time. Host Golden State thumped Chicago 131-106 on Jan. 23 behind Curry’s 21 points.
–Field Level Media
