The Golden State Warriors opened the season with a 119-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Stephen Curry scored 23 points, but Jimmy Butler was the Warriors’ leading scorer with 31 points.
Butler represents a key element of the Warriors’ championship aspirations.
Curry believes in Butler’s value, and the team’s impressive 23-8 record since joining him last season only strengthens that belief.
However, NBA analyst Colin Cowherd takes the opposite view.
Cowherd believes the Warriors need to trade Butler for Giannis Antetokounmpo to have a legitimate championship shot, suggesting that even head coach Steve Kerr shares his doubts about the current roster’s potential.
“Steve Kerr is too smart to think that Steph, who is 37, Draymond, who is 35, Jimmy Butler, who is 36, and Al Horford, who is now 39, can compete in the West. They can’t,” Cowherd said.
“I would trade Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga and four first-round picks for Giannis and see if that’s enough,” he added.
Cowherd believes the proposed package would interest the Bucks, making the idea a win-win solution.
Butler remains an All-Star capable of leading his team to the playoffs, Kuminga has youth and potential, and four first-round picks provide important draft capital.
“Jimmy Butler is coming home because he played in Marquette, and he’s still a deadly free-throw shooter and big-game performer. Kuminga averaged 20 a game last year when he didn’t play with Steph. They just don’t work together that well,” Cowherd explained.
“Steve Kerr is too smart to fit in with these old guys. I’m not buying it. As long as Steph is around, I think Warrior tickets are expensive,” he concluded.
The proposal is still largely speculative, but reports suggest Giannis is interested in leaving Milwaukee.
The Warriors might consider pursuing him if the opportunity materializes, especially given concerns about a championship spot on an aging roster.