A 2-5 record since January 19 tells the story: the Golden State Warriors are lost without Jimmy Butler. Ever since the veteran forward suffered a season-altering ACL injury against the Miami Heat, the Dubs have struggled to stay afloat. Their recent slide has pushed them further from true championship contention, leaving the Play-In Tournament as their most realistic postseason path.

Yet amid the turmoil, there’s finally a reason for optimism, encouraging updates on Butler’s recovery are beginning to surface. Insider Joseph Dycus reported, “Warriors say Jimmy Butler will undergo ACL surgery in LA on February 9.” Unlike some players who opt for immediate surgery, Butler and the Warriors chose a more measured approach, waiting over two weeks before scheduling the procedure.

That delay wasn’t hesitation – it was strategy. Modern ACL recovery plans often call for a short waiting period to allow swelling and irritation in the knee to subside. Operating on a calmer joint typically leads to fewer post-op complications and a smoother rehabilitation process.

During that window, Butler has been able to focus on targeted strength work, keeping his quadriceps and hamstrings engaged so the knee enters surgery in the best possible condition.

For Golden State, the hope is that this patient approach will ultimately speed up the back end of Butler’s recovery and give their season a lifeline when it matters most.

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Now, the timing of the Golden State Warriors‘ announcement about Jimmy Butler’s surgery move is important to note here. As you know, the Feb 5 trade deadline will close in a matter of a few hours.

And all eyes are on the Dubs. Many believe that the front office could move Butler, while others say that the Warriors will retain him.

Jimmy Butler’s position in the trade market

Among the elite few pulling in paychecks rivaling Giannis Antetokounmpo’s massive $54 million haul, Jimmy Butler’s contract gleams like a golden ticket – prime bait for the blockbuster trades that could shake the NBA to its core.

However, the Milwaukee Bucks have seemingly shut all doors, at least until the offseason, to trade their superstar. Moreover, the Golden State Warriors front office had clarified that Jimmy would be untouchable this trade season.

Yet, the voices around the league believe that trading Jimmy to another team could have increased their chances of winning.

Well, last season, the Dubs sent De’Anthony Melton to Brooklyn after his ACL injury, using his expiring contract to acquire Dennis Schroder. Later, the same contract helped them bring Jimmy from Miami. Now, hours before the Feb 5 deadline, if the Warriors wish to pursue a similar financial maneuver, that would be worth anticipating.

Because then, the Warriors could have a piece or two to fill the void beside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

Before Jimmy Butler’s ACL injury, the Warriors were on an 11-out of 15 winning record. And looking back at the ominous day, Steph Curry flinches. “I don’t think I’ve stopped thinking about it since he got hurt, to be honest…Just the human nature part of it comes in, where you feel like things change drastically,” he told Howard Beck.

With Butler in the lineup, Golden State has won nearly 70% of its games since February 2025. A reminder of how transformative he has been to their championship hopes.

But the upcoming surgery sidelines the 36-year-old veteran until at least next season, leaving the Warriors in an uncomfortable limbo.

His long-term impact is undeniable, yet his short-term availability is gone. As the trade deadline approaches, the front office faces a franchise-defining choice: hold onto Butler and trust the recovery timeline, or pivot now to protect what’s left of the current campaign.