Warriors set to grant Jimmy Butler his wish if free agency reports ring true

Jimmy Butler significantly impacted the Golden State Warriors last season, elevating a below .500 team to the second round of the playoffs before Stephen Curry's injury ended their run against the Minnesota Timberwolves. His arrival improved multiple areas, most notably his ability to uplift teammates, which defined his early tenure with the Warriors.

Butler's influence was evident in the shooting improvements of Golden State players after the February All-Star break, coinciding with his acquisition. Key players like Stephen Curry, Buddy Hield, Quinten Post, and Moses Moody saw increased three-point percentages. The most dramatic improvements came from Brandin Podziemski, whose percentage rose from 32% to 43.8%, and Gary Payton II, who nearly doubled his from 23.6% to 45%.

Butler's effectiveness declined after Curry's injury and teammates' shooting struggles in the playoffs, prompting the Warriors to address this weakness in the offseason. They are adding more shooters, such as Al Horford for frontcourt spacing and De'Anthony Melton, a three-point specialist who shot 37.1% before his ACL injury.

Golden State is also considering Seth Curry, seventh all-time in three-point percentage, or Malcolm Brogdon, a steady 38.8% shooter, for their final roster spots. These moves align with Butler's desire for more shooters, enabling him to impact the game beyond scoring and helping the team return to title contention.