Draymond Green: Jimmy Butler ‘franchise changer’ for Warriors
The Golden State Warriors made the big-splash move before the trade deadline to acquire star forward Jimmy Butler.
The move signifies the Warriors’ playoff push to maximize star point guard Stephen Curry’s remaining window with the franchise. It’s something that Draymond Green recognized the drastic shift.
“He’s a franchise changer,” Warriors power forward Draymond Green said about Butler via ESPN. “He’s done that everywhere he’s gone, and he is helping revitalize what we got here. The belief amongst this team, now that he’s arrived, as opposed to what it was before he got here, it’s night and day.”
Butler has provided strong production in his first four games with the Warriors, averaging 21.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists while shooting 44.6 percent from the floor. He has scored 20 or more points three times while he’s hit 34 out of 40 free throw attempts.
Golden State has found success, winning three out of their first four games. The only loss over that stretch was to the Dallas Mavericks in a contest that came down to the final minutes in the fourth quarter.
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Although Butler hasn’t proven to be a consistent 3-point factor, his scoring prowess and playmaking as a passer have added an element that the Warriors lacked. He also gives Golden State a proven late-game option that takes pressure off Curry to constantly step into that role.
The Warriors have an uphill battle ahead to get out of the play-in tournament spot currently sitting in 10th with a 28-27 record at 3.5 games behind the LA Clippers for the sixth position in the Western Conference standings.
