SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler tore his right ACL on January 19, 2026, against his former team, the Miami Heat. The six-time All-Star missed the rest of the 2025-26 season, and he’s expected to miss the start of next season.
Warriors insider Anthony Slater of ESPN recently provided an update on Butler’s ACL rehab. The swingman “has been slowly increasing his on-court work.”
However, Butler “is expected to be limited to individual court and strength work when training camp opens in a month.”
“Butler has been slowly increasing his on-court work while traveling the globe this summer, and the most recent strength tests on his right ACL recovery have shown notable progress, according to league sources,” Slater wrote. “But Butler still has extensive rehab work ahead. He is expected to be limited to individual court and strength work when training camp opens in a month, league sources said, with the 36-year-old forward needing more time to be cleared for a full contact setting. A return in January or February can be considered an optimistic target, but there are plenty of checkpoints ahead before getting that clearance. The Warriors’ lead medical decision-maker, Rick Celebrini, is noted for a cautious approach.”
Butler will make $56.8 million next season in the final year of his contract. The Warriors acquired the Houston native from the Heat during the 2024-25 season.
In 38 games for Golden State last season, Butler averaged 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game while shooting 51.9% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 86.4% from the free-throw line. The Warriors went 38-23 with Butler in the lineup. They finished the season 37-45 and missed the playoffs.
Small Contingent Of Warriors’ Front Office Wanted To Trade Butler To Wizards For Davis
According to Logan Murdock of The Ringer, a small contingent of the Warriors’ front office wanted to trade Butler to the Washington Wizards for Anthony Davis.
A deal didn’t go down because of Davis’ injury history and desire for a new extension.
It is widely believed in NBA circles that had the Warriors traded for Davis, LeBron James would have signed with Golden State instead of the Philadelphia 76ers.
Davis and James led the Los Angeles Lakers to the 2020 championship at the Walt Disney World Bubble. The two All-Stars have the same agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, and are very close friends.
Warriors veteran Draymond Green, who is also represented by Paul and close with James and Davis, declined his $27.7 million player option for next season to give Golden State flexibility to pursue James in free agency and Davis via trade.
However, James signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers.
The Warriors signed Green to a one-year, $27.7 million deal after James joined Philadelphia. They also added Brandon Williams, Georges Niang and Yaxel Lendeborg.
Golden State is expected to sign Stephen Curry to an extension soon. Curry will make $62.6 million next season in the final year of his contract. The future Hall of Famer is eligible for a two-year, $136.7 million extension.
