Jimmy Butler is still rehabbing from a torn right ACL, but he told ESPN he believes he can return as an elite player for the Golden State Warriors. He also made clear that, if things go his way, he would like Golden State to be the final stop of his career.
The injury happened on Jan. 19 against the Miami Heat, and Butler had surgery on Feb. 9. At the time of the interview, he said he was not yet back to full-speed running and still had important rehab milestones ahead, including being able to absorb landings on his right leg.
Golden State’s outlook changed sharply after Butler went down. The Warriors finished 37-45 and exited in the play-in bracket, adding pressure to an aging core built around Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Butler’s earlier impact with the team remains part of the optimism: after arriving at the 2025 trade deadline, he helped fuel a strong late-season run and a first-round playoff upset of Houston.
The situation also carries roster and contract implications. Butler is on an expiring $56.8 million deal, can become extension-eligible in early February, and could enter unrestricted free agency next summer. While team leaders have reportedly valued his fit, the Warriors have also monitored trade possibilities, making his rehab and future role central questions for the season ahead.
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