![\"Jimmy](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2203507121-e1764525994860.jpg\")
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Jimmy Butler III of the Golden State Warriors reacts after he is fouled.<\/p>\n
Golden State Warriors<\/a> star Jimmy Butler<\/a> is questionable for the start of the team\u2019s three-game East Coast road trip against his former team, the Philadelphia 76ers<\/a>, on Thursday after leaving Tuesday\u2019s loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a> with left knee soreness.<\/p>\n However, Butler is not expected to miss significant time, according to ESPN\u2019s Anthony Slater<\/a>, who reported that the injury is considered minor.<\/p>\n \u201cHis knee injury isn\u2019t believed to be serious,\u201d Slater wrote. \u201cHis status for Thursday\u2019s game in Philadelphia is to be determined, but Butler shouldn\u2019t miss much (if any) time.\u201d<\/p>\n Butler played the first half of Golden State\u2019s 124\u2013112 defeat to Oklahoma City before being ruled out. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr admitted he was caught off guard by the development.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t even know [he was out] until I was drawing up a play,\u201d Kerr said<\/a>. \u201cSomebody came in the huddle and said Jimmy is down.\u201d<\/p>\n Injuries Continue to Pile Up for Warriors<\/p>\n Butler entered Tuesday\u2019s matchup already dealing with a glute contusion, adding to a growing list of early-season nagging issues that have included ankle and back soreness. The veteran-heavy Warriors, who have stumbled to an 11\u201311 record through 22 games, are now managing multiple rotation concerns.<\/p>\n The Warriors have five players listed as questionable for the matchup in Philadelphia, including Jonathan Kuminga<\/a> (ankle), Al Horford<\/a> (sciatica), Quinten Post<\/a> (ankle), and Trayce Jackson-Davis<\/a> (knee).<\/p>\n Meanwhile, franchise star Stephen Curry<\/a> did not travel with the team and will be reevaluated on Thursday as he continues his recovery process from a quad injury.<\/p>\n There was, however, a bright spot: the expected season debut of guard De\u2019Anthony Melton<\/a>, who has been cleared after missing 12 months recovering from ACL surgery on Dec. 4, 2024. According to ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania<\/a>, Melton is expected to suit up in Philadelphia, where he will face his former team.<\/p>\n Warriors\u2019 Slow Start Reignites Trade Rumors as NBA Deadline Approaches<\/p>\n Golden State\u2019s inconsistent first quarter of the season has rekindled major trade speculation, especially as the league approaches the unofficial start of trade season in mid-December. With the Warriors hovering around .500 and their championship window potentially narrowing, front-office attention has shifted toward the possibility of pursuing a franchise-altering superstar.<\/p>\n That opportunity may soon present itself.<\/p>\n ESPN\u2019s Shams Charania reported Wednesday that Giannis Antetokounmpo<\/a>\u00a0and his agent, Alex Saratsis, have opened discussions with the Milwaukee Bucks<\/a> regarding the two-time MVP\u2019s future. The Bucks\u2019 disappointing 9\u201313 start has raised questions about the team\u2019s long-term trajectory.<\/p>\n \u201cA resolution is expected in the coming weeks,\u201d Charania posted on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n Warriors Positioned as Potential Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Suitor<\/p>\n The Warriors are viewed as one of the best-equipped teams to pursue Antetokounmpo should Milwaukee explore trade scenarios. According to ESPN\u2019s Ramona Shelburne, Golden State\u2019s combination of movable first-round picks and young talent positions them ahead of rival suitors such as the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a> and New York Knicks<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re talking four or five first-round picks and good young players \u2014 which the Lakers simply don\u2019t have,\u201d Shelburne said on ESPN LA 710 \u2013 Los Angeles.<\/a><\/p>\n Golden State can reportedly offer three first-round picks (2026, 2028, 2031 or 2032) and multiple developing assets \u2014 a package rival executives believe could outbid the Lakers and potentially challenge proposals from teams like the Atlanta Hawks<\/a>, Orlando Magic<\/a> and Miami Heat<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tAlder Almo<\/a> is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Warriors\n\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t