Latest news with #JimmyButler
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11 hours ago
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Warriors Predicted to Go International in NBA Draft to Address Key Need
Warriors Predicted to Go International in NBA Draft to Address Key Need originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Golden State Warriors have a few pivotal roster holes that need to be filled before entering into next season. The NBA Draft will provide them with an excellent opportunity to address at least one of those needs. Advertisement The Warriors will not have a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. That was handed over to the Miami Heat as a part of the trade that brought Jimmy Butler to the Bay Area. Their draft fortunes will be heavily tied to what they do with their lone selection at 41st overall. There are certainly a number of avenues for them to explore. May 4, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates with forward Draymond Green (23) after a play during game seven of the first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.© Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Many have prognoses the Warriors to use pick number 41 to address the backup point guard position. A reliable presence off the bench would certainly help Golden State's offense next season. However, another standout need for the Warriors is the frontcourt. Running Draymond Green as the starting center moving forward will quickly wear out the aging star. Advertisement ESPN's most recent mock draft projected the Warriors to ensure that does not happen. ESPN had Golden State selecting Rocco Zikarsky out of the NBL with the 41st overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Zikarsky was once thought of as a potential lottery pick in the early-goings of the draft process for this season. However, an uneventful season, apart from injuries, led to his stock plummeting with the draft date in sight. Zikarsky played 20 games this past season. The Australian big man averaged 4.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.7 blocks in 12.1 minutes per game. This potential selection would represent a gamble on the upside that was originally thought to be there with the 7-foot-4-inch giant. Not only that, but the Warriors would be counting on the injury problems to not persist. Advertisement It would ultimately be a high risk, high reward move for Golden State. Related: Warriors Projected to Make 'Bold' 2025 NBA Draft Decision Related: Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga Named 'Fallback Option' For Kevin Durant Suitor This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
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a day ago
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Eastern Conference Team Urged to Trade For Steph Curry's Warriors Teammate
Eastern Conference Team Urged to Trade For Steph Curry's Warriors Teammate originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Golden State Warriors lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of this year's playoffs in five games. Advertisement Two-time MVP Steph Curry suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain in Game 1 and missed the rest of the series. The Warriors won Game 1 in Minnesota but lost the next four games without Curry. Golden State's core for next season is projected to be Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. Jonathan Kuminga becomes a restricted free agent this offseason, so the Warriors control his future. As a restricted free agent, the Warriors can match any offer sheet Kuminga signs. The Chicago Bulls have been urged to pursue Jonathan Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images However, according to Anthony Slater and Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic, Kuminga and the Warriors are expected to explore sign-and-trade options this summer, and Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report believes the Chicago Bulls should make a push for Kuminga. Advertisement "At the very least, Kuminga's elite athleticism, self-creation and free-throw-drawing prowess could balance out some of Josh Giddey's deficiencies," Hughes wrote. "Since we have to assume the Bulls aren't going to tear their roster down any time soon, prioritizing players in their early 20s would at least offer some upside in their annual pursuit of 42 wins." Kuminga appeared in 47 games for the Warriors this season. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 45.4% from the field, 30.5% from 3 and 66.8% from the foul line. Kuminga turns 23 in October. He has career averages of 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists Advertisement The Bulls haven't made the playoffs since 2022. They could use a talented young player like Kuminga. Related: Warriors Urged to Pair Steph Curry, Jimmy Butler With $112 Million Forward This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
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a day ago
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Warriors Predicted to Make Big Trade This Offseason
Warriors Predicted to Make Big Trade This Offseason originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Golden State Warriors made a blockbuster trade in February, acquiring six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. Advertisement On February 6, the day the Warriors acquired Butler, Steph Curry and Co. lost to the Los Angeles Lakers, dropping to 25-26 on the season. Golden State, though, went on a run after Butler made his Dubs debut, going 23-7. The Warriors finished the season as the seventh seed in the Western Conference and played the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2025 postseason. Behind Curry and Butler, the Warriors beat the Rockets in seven games. However, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated Golden State in the second round in five games. Curry got hurt in Game 1 of the conference semifinals and missed the rest of the series. Golden State Warriors stars Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry may have new teammates next season. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Butler, Curry and Draymond Green are expected to be the Warriors' core next season. What about Jonathan Kuminga, though? He was the third-leading scorer on Golden State this season, averaging 15.3 points in 47 games. Advertisement The Warriors control Kuminga's future since the forward becomes a restricted free agent this summer. The team can either re-sign Kuminga or execute a sign-and-trade deal. NBA insider Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report thinks Golden State does the latter. "Prediction: The Warriors find a sign-and-trade with a mystery team," Pincus wrote. Kuminga turns 23 in October. He has career averages of 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists with the Warriors. According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Kuminga "has visions of becoming an All-Star." That may not be possible in Golden State since the team has Curry and Butler. Advertisement 'Kuminga, league sources said, still has visions of becoming an All-Star, not fitting into an ever-moving mid-tier rotation role. He wants to be a featured player in an NBA offense and chase the 20-point-and-beyond dreams he's spent his life chasing and the last week of his fourth season tasting,' Slater wrote. Related: Steph Curry's Dad Issues Strong Statement on Warriors Star's NBA Future This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
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a day ago
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Warriors Urged to Land 21.2 PPG Wing in ‘Ambitious' Move
Warriors Urged to Land 21.2 PPG Wing in 'Ambitious' Move originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Once Stephen Curry suffered an injury in the Golden State Warriors' second-round matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, it became clear just how lacking the team was for firepower. This NBA offseason can help fix that. Advertisement The Warriors made the maneuver before this past NBA trade deadline to acquire Jimmy Butler. However, the veteran star has settled into a much more playmaking-focused role since his arrival. With Jonathan Kuminga potentially on his way out this summer as well, an additional scoring punch will certainly be needed for the Warriors. This is where the next player comes in. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after being fouled against the Houston Rockets in the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Chase Edmondson-Imagn Images Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report suggested the Warriors should make a run at Trey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason. The NBA writer cited a notable rumor in the process. Hughes wrote, "Yahoo! Sports' Kevin O'Connor reported "there are no untouchables in New Orleans." That's a pretty wild stance for the Pelicans to take, particularly on players as productive, young and relatively cheap as Trey Murphy III." Advertisement Hughes added, "If the Golden State Warriors are going to address their lack of athleticism, deep shooting and secondary playmaking on the wing, they'll likely do it by adding multiple players. If there's a single guy who can provide all that, he's usually making close to the max. Murphy is the exception." The Bleacher Report writer did make it clear that Murphy would not be an easy acquisition. The move would require the Warriors parting with a key young piece to get the job done. "Almost any deal would have to involve Brandin Podziemski, whom Golden State was loath to move last summer," Hughes concluded. The talented guard has been the most promising of the Warriors' young players. Parting with him in a potential trade to acquire Murphy would sting. However, it will sting a lot less if the Pelicans forward thrives in the Bay Area next season. Advertisement Related: Warriors Urged to Fix Frontcourt With New NBA Trade Idea Related: Former Warriors Star Has Clear Jonathan Kuminga Opinion Before Free Agency This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
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a day ago
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Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga Named 'Fallback Option' For Kevin Durant Suitor
Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga Named 'Fallback Option' For Kevin Durant Suitor originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors have been anticipated to be going in different directions this offseason for some time now. The two sides have not enjoyed a mutually-beneficial relationship in recent memory. Advertisement Kuminga failed to take a major leap in the 2024-25 NBA season, putting a lot of doubt out there as to his overall ceiling in the NBA. The Warriors, likewise, have been questioned with regard to how healthy of an environment they have provided for his growth. With Kuminga heading for restricted free agency in the summer of 2025, many have been quick to speculate about where the new home for the athletic forward will be. Michael Scotto provided an update on which team could emerge to provide that. May 10, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) and guard Gary Payton II (0) warm up before game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images Scotto wrote, "Given Kuminga's fluctuating role with the Warriors following the acquisition of Jimmy Butler, his lukewarm relationship with coach Steve Kerr, and being discussed in trade talks before the deadline to land Kevin Durant that ultimately fell through, there's a belief a change of scenery could be in the cards this summer." Advertisement The NBA insider would go on to reveal the Miami Heat as one of the two major teams to watch in the Kuminga sweepstakes. The Heat are projected to go big-game hunting, but if that fails, their attention will shift to the Warriors forward. "Kuminga is looking for an expanded and consistent role moving forward, league sources told HoopsHype," Scotto said. "The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat are two teams to monitor as potential sign-and-trade candidates for Kuminga, league sources told HoopsHype." The HoopsHype insider wrote: "Miami has prioritized pursuits of Giannis Antetokounmpo (if he became available this summer) and Durant (whom they're actively trying to acquire) on their wish list ahead of Kuminga, who's viewed as a fallback option to the two superstars." If South Beach is to be the next destination for the former lottery pick, the Warriors can rest assured knowing they will receive assets in return for Kuminga's departure. After the Butler trade, these two sides have a clear history of effectively working together. Advertisement Related: Warriors Urged to Land 21.2 PPG Wing in 'Ambitious' Move Related: Former Warriors Star Has Clear Jonathan Kuminga Opinion Before Free Agency This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
