Disaster struck for the Golden State Warriors on Monday night when Jimmy Butler collapsed to the floor after landing awkwardly and immediately clutching his right leg.
The six-time All-Star was in visible distress following contact with Davion Mitchell of the Miami Heat. He was eventually helped to the locker room by teammates Buddy Hield and Gary Payton II, with early concern quickly giving way to confirmation of the worst-case scenario.
ESPN’s Shams Charania later reported that Butler had suffered a season-ending torn right ACL, an injury expected to sideline him for up to a year and dramatically alter Golden State’s immediate outlook.
Golden State Warriors Suddenly Forced Into New Reality
Despite a 135-112 win over the Heat, the mood shifted quickly. Following the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was asked whether forward Jonathan Kuminga could re-enter the rotation with the team suddenly shorthanded.
“Sure. Absolutely,” Kerr said bluntly, before stating that the 23-year-old is game-ready and has been practicing.
Kuminga has not appeared in a game since December 18 amid a long-running standoff with Kerr and the organization.
On January 15, the first day he became eligible to be traded, he formally requested a move, according to Charania and ESPN colleague Anthony Slater.
On Tuesday morning, Charania appeared on SportsCenter AM to discuss the fallout, describing Kuminga’s relationship with Kerr as “fractured beyond repair” while outlining how Golden State’s plans could shift as the February 5 trade deadline approaches.
Warriors Linked to Kings Star as Trade Pressure Mounts
Charania reported that the Dallas Mavericks and the Sacramento Kings have emerged as the most serious suitors in any potential Kuminga deal, before zeroing in on Sacramento as a particularly intriguing option.
“Does a player, say DeMar DeRozan, does that fit the bill of what the Warriors could need without Jimmy Butler,” Charania said. “But one way or another, the Warriors are about to find out where they stand with Jonathan Kuminga this season.”
DeMar DeRozan has averaged 19.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.4 steals through 42 games this season while shooting 50.7% from the field and a career-high 36.3% from three-point range.
Sacramento currently sits near the bottom of the Western Conference at 12-31 and is widely viewed as a looming draft lottery team.
The Kings have been actively shopping DeRozan’s $24.8 million salary and have been described as “eager” to move the 36-year-old via trade.
Kuminga’s connection to Sacramento predates Butler’s injury. Andscape’s Marc J. Spears previously reported that the Kings were Kuminga’s preferred destination during offseason discussions.
“He wants to go [to Sacramento],” Spears said back in June. “The Kings are offering a starting spot, as the power forward, next to Keegan Murray and [Domantas] Sabonis.”
Golden State sits 25-19, eighth in the Western Conference, and is riding a four-game winning streak, having won 12 of its past 16 games.
A deal with Sacramento now carries added urgency. For the Warriors, a DeRozan-centered return could represent the closest and quickest like-for-like option available, offering a path to remain competitive in the West while navigating the sudden loss of one of their centerpieces.
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