Warriors Reportedly Keeping Tabs on Jimmy Butler, Showing Interest

The Golden State Warriors, who were unsuccessful in adding a star player like Paul George or Lauri Markkanen alongside Stephen Curry this summer, are keeping a close eye on the situation and are reportedly interested in acquiring Jimmy Butler, according to The Athletic's Sam Amick on the TK Show podcast.

"Jimmy Butler's going to be a free agent next summer, didn't get an extension done. The Warriors, as you know, have interest there and I think probably made a couple calls during the summer.”

As Amick notes in that conversation, what the Warriors need is for the wheels to fall off with a team that has a star, and suddenly the elite shot creator the Warriors need next to Curry becomes available. Maybe that's Miami, but it's a franchise with a history of beating expectations when everyone expects it to slide. There are plenty of other situations to monitor around the league — from both teams in Los Angeles through Phoenix, Milwaukee and Cleveland — and wherever a good team stumbles, trade rumors will sprout up.

Despite losing Klay Thompson, the Warriors had a good offseason and should be a little better and deeper with the additions of Buddy Hield, De'Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson. However, if Golden State is going to get one more ring in the Curry era, they need another elite shot creator on the roster, and they should be watching the market to see who becomes available. Expect a lot of Warriors trade rumors around whoever that might be.