With Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in their late 30s, the Golden State Warriors will soon have to turn over a new leaf. Steve Kerr knows this.
The four-time champion coach admitted that the Warriors need to make a push while both stars are still effective, especially after acquiring Jimmy Butler in a midseason trade.
Advertisement
“I think the Jimmy trade was a clear indication that we’re going forward the next couple of years. We instantly became one of the best teams in the league when he got here. We’re going for it these next two years,” Kerr said on the Tom Tolbert show.
“We needed someone like Jimmy. Well, we got him now. He’s still really good. I think we’re set up to go for it the next two years. You don’t give up,” the Warriors coach added.
Butler is still not used to Dubs’ system
There is no denying that Butler provided the Warriors a boost in the regular season and the playoffs. Still, the team had a disappointing exit in the postseason, losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round.
Advertisement
Curry suffered a hamstring injury in Game 1 of the series, which dealt a huge blow to the Warriors’ chances. Green, Butler and the rest tried to extend the series at least until their superstar got healthy, but Anthony Edwards and Co. didn’t allow that to happen, eliminating Golden State after five games.
Many expected more from Butler, especially after Curry’s injury. After all, he has shown he’s capable of reaching a different level of greatness in the postseason during his time with the Miami Heat.
Looking at his production in the WC semifinals, the star forward didn’t do that badly. He averaged 20.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 38.9 minutes of action.
However, Carmelo Anthony feels Butler would’ve been much better if he had more time to fully adjust to the Warriors’ system.
Advertisement
“We’ve seen Jimmy at the height of what he can do, his possibilities, his talents, his will to win. But when you implement that to a system that’s a dynasty, and they have the way they play and no matter what, you have to find your way,” Anthony pointed out on the “7PM in Brooklyn” podcast.
Watch out for Butler, Warriors next season
Without question, there is a lot to expect from Butler and the Warriors next season. The offseason should help the star forward get more acclimated to playing in Kerr’s system, which is why Golden State will be a team to watch in the 2025-26 season.
Kerr explicitly points out that the Dubs are aiming no less for another championship, especially with their top stars at the twilight of their careers.
Advertisement
For Butler, the next two years may be his last opportunity to win a ring. At 35, he knows the clock is ticking on his pro basketball career. Luckily for him, Curry and Green are in a similar position, so a sense of urgency is as high as ever in The Bay.
Still, the organization will have to make some moves to add depth to the roster, especially with how deep the best teams in the West are this season. If they can do that, they will be a legitimate title threat.