NBA experts assess Warriors’ agreement with Suns – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

On By Littum

Warriors’ Jimmy Butler acquisition was among NBA’s most prominent transactions during a hectic trade period.

In addition to Landing Butler, Warriors also signed the 35-year-old star for a two-year contract extension of $ 112 million.

This is how the experts classified Golden State’s Trade, which sent Andrew Wiggins to Miami Heat in return for the five-time all-NBA fronts and Lindy Waters III and Dennis Schroder to Detroit Pistons in trading in multiple teams:

Warriors: B-minus

“The effort for butler in the bay is simple: lift the warriors out of a tough fight just to make the play-in tournament and give Stephen Curry Another playoffs while still performing at an all-star level. “

“… Butler’s statistical downturn this season-from 20.8 ppg to 17.0, his lowest average since 2013-14 sights are attributed to more motivation than declining skill at the age of 35.

“For now, Butler can lift a warriors defense that has been good but not championship quality. The Golden State is ninth in defensive rating after shooting team hit a league-low 31% against them during this tension butler who led The league with 2.1 stealing by 2020-21, should help Warriors in that regard.

“Butler will be Golden State’s latest attempt to find some violation with curry on the bench. During the season, their offensive rating in the seventh percentile league without curry, reaches per. Cleaning the glass. Schroder was not the solution. Lineups with him, but not curry was only marginally better and ranked in the 12th percentile.

“If Warriors can escape the West’s package and make playoffs, either by climbing in the top six or through the play-in tournament,” games jimmy “give them a reasonable chance of pulling a rebellion or two.” – Kevin Pelton

Warriors: B.

“This is a modest price to pay for a power wing that still has the superstar equipment. Anderson’s contract has been developed into a slight net-negative territory, and Schröder’s passport and has become a more bankable floor space than Butler, but Jimmy has him to beat As a self -creating and table set and, without a doubt, defends.

“Getting someone who can capable to run the offense when Stephen Curry sits is a monster agreement. Golden State may need butler to take more triangles or meat arrangements with him and draymond green with specific staff. Stephs off-ball- Gravity makes everything in full strength.

“By the way: So much for Butler who doesn’t want to be I-or sign an extension with-Golden State. Bank rolling of a maximum agreement that runs through his age-37 season is risky. But the length is in line with the Current contracts for Steph and Dray

Warriors: B-PLUS

“Warriors are becoming an engaged butler, and a committed 35-year-old butler can still produce offensively and defensively. While getting Butler for Phoenix was a hot topic, and maybe his main goal, butler never excluded going to the Golden State, which is trying to Get another title to run with Steph Curry.

“This season, Butler had a reduced role with the heat when BAM Adebayo and Tyler Herro became focused points offensively. Butler still produced solid statistics, an average of 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.1 steal They shoot 54% from the field, 36.1% on 3-points and 80.1% on free throw.

“Butler will also help Warriors’ No. 9 defense. – Jeff Zillgitt

Warriors: B-PLUS

“So let’s start with the basketball component of this. Despite the butlers foibles, he is not only a very good basketball player but one that does things that the warriors need badly. He does not just deliver secondary scoring and ball handling next walk to Stephen CurryBut he does this in ways that the warriors are currently missing. Golden State is currently ranking 25. In NBA in points in the paint. Butler still comes to the edge pretty often. Warriors ranks 28. In NBA in free-throwing speed. Butler has always come to the line and led the heat in free-throwing speed this season.

“Obviously, Butlers Playoff Track Record is without blame. He is still a very good and very versatile defender. The combination of him and Daymond Green Unlock for almost any scheme or Matchup Steve Kerr may have implemented. Although no violation in the NBA is as pass and moving as the Golden State’s, Miami’s egalitarian system is about as close as it becomes. The learning curve here should not be too steep. The care, in almost every way, makes sense.

“And then there is the question of the cost. The protected first round that Warriors gave up is not exactly Nothing. If the draft was tomorrow, it would be in the lottery in the No. 14 Slot. But you assume that Butler will make Warriors better, not worse, so the choice will probably fall into the middle of the first round at least, and considering how tight the western conference is not out of the opportunity That it hits low 20s.

“Andrew Wiggins is admittedly a loss, but Butler obviously fills him with skillfully. Schroder has been bad for Warriors on almost any front. An insulation scorer, he simply did not fit into the Golden State’s movement. Lindy Waters is a rather interchangeable deep bench player.

“… Warriors still have a long way to go. They have a defective list and are currently sitting in No. 10 seeds in the Western Conference. But this trade was their best chance of making any noise at all this season and they Went well to end it.

Warriors: a

“Warriors get a player to come in and immediately fit their DNA. Butler, in connection with trade – presumably – until it’s time for retirement.

“Butler will add a formidable defensive and playmaking presence to Warriors, as well as a shooter that can consistently get to the free throwing line and cabinets in the semi-lane.

“Butler’s game levels usually in the playoffs, and as Warriors hope for another championship race, it should make them comfortable with the 6-foot-7 wing, which now becomes the clear, second-best player on team behind Curry.

“The fact that Jonathan Kuminga, who was not part of the agreement, is stabbing in the Golden State is a huge victory for head coach Steve Kerr and his troops who let Warriors run a young other unit.

“If there is a franchise that can handle all kinds of different personalities, it is Golden State, which means Warriors stands strong and on solid ground, after this acquisition. This gives them an A.” – Morten Stig Jensen

Warriors: B.

“Smoke around Golden State’s interest in Butler started during the summer, but the requested price at the time was too high. The one it ended up paying is pretty low.

“It’s hard to move Wiggins as he had re-entered some of the magic of his all-star season in 2022 and played well on both sides of the floor. But he had to be the matching salary in every great deal and Butler is clear The better one plays between the two.

“Moving only one of the team’s first two round choices is a pretty nice piece of negotiation from Mike Dunleavy. Getting protection on that choice is even better. Golden State also got to hold on to all its young prospects, including Jonathan Kuminga.

“Butler can still bully himself to his favorite spots on the floor. He is a good facilitator and big to get to the line. He is a striped shooting game but he hits 36.1 percent from deep this year. He is also fantastic in the clutch And gives Warrior’s versatility at the end of games they were missing.

“Giving the Butler contract extension makes this deal a little more difficult to swallow from Warriors’ side. There is such a great potential for this to go bad. If Butler’s value was so low, how will it be on a long -term deal for more money when he are even older?

“In general, this Warrior gives much more upwards and a chance to maximize Curry’s last couple of seasons where he plays at an all-NBA level. You can’t really blame the Golden State too much to go with that approach.” – Stephen Noh

Download and follow Dubs Talk Podcast