Let’s see those red pens!
The Golden State Warriors were surrounded by myriad rumors as the 2025 NBA trade deadline approached. They reportedly made attempts to add LeBron James and Kevin Durant. They were linked to Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević. And in the end? They landed one of the greatest playoff performers in the league, Jimmy Butler.
While the Dubs stayed active until the deadline, the trade for Butler was their only move. So here’s everything that came and went at the deadline for the Warriors:
Warriors get:
Jimmy Butler
Warriors lose:
Andrew Wiggins
Kyle Anderson
Dennis Schröder
Lindy Waters III
2025 first-round pick (top-10 protected)
So how would you grade Mike Dunleavy Jr.’s second trade deadline at the helm?
I made my thoughts pretty clear earlier today: I think it’s a great move. The Warriors were the definition of mediocrity, and I don’t see any reason to think that would change without a major shake-up; nor do I see much risk in making such a shake-up, when they’re already so average.
I think adding Butler. makes the Warriors much better this season and for the next two years, without sacrificing any of their young players or top assets. I can’t give the Warriors a perfect grade — not when they clearly were chasing even bigger fish, and reportedly had a deal lined up for Durant but couldn’t convince him to reunite with his former team. But I see this as a low-risk, high-reward swing for Dunleavy, and that’s worth an A- in my book.
How do you grade the trade deadline, Dub Nation?