When the Golden State Warriors pulled off a blockbuster trade for Jimmy Butler last month, plenty of fans and analysts wondered if he’d be the right fit. Fast forward to today, and the deal is already looking like one of the best in franchise history.
While – of course – he’s more of a Lakers fan (ya think?) – our man Shaq is a big fan of the deal. He’s talked about it on Inside the NBA, and with Butler himself, offering plenty of flowers.
This past Thursday night (as of this posting date), Butler helped lead the Warriors to a thrilling 121-119 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, finishing with 25 points, six assists, three steals, and a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. Since joining the team, he’s averaging 17.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game—contributions that have helped Golden State go 10-1 in that stretch.
Shaquille O’Neal, never one to hold back his thoughts, had high praise for Butler’s impact in the Bay Area. Speaking on NBA on TNT, the Hall of Famer made it clear that he loves this trade:
“This was my favorite trade, because I knew Jimmy was going to be playing with a new type of energy… He’s playing with a chip on his shoulder… He’s back, and if they get the right matchup in the playoffs, I would not want to face Golden State.”
The Warriors, now riding an eight-game winning streak with Butler in the lineup, sit in the sixth seed in the Western Conference with a 35-28 record. They’ll look to keep their momentum rolling when they return home to face the Detroit Pistons on Saturday.
Shaq’s endorsement carries weight, and if Butler keeps playing at this level, Golden State might just be the team no one wants to see in the playoffs.