Published in cooperation with Celtic Media and SanBenito.com.
The Golden State Warriors have flipped the narrative of their 2024 NBA season. What began as an uninspired and mediocre campaign has transformed into one of the most compelling playoff pushes in recent NBA memory.
The turning point? A bold midseason trade that brought Jimmy Butler to the Bay Area. With the postseason around the corner, the Warriors have emerged as a dangerous and unpredictable contender—powered by the fire of a healthy Stephen Curry and the grit of Jimmy Butler. Their revival has sent shockwaves through the league, and no one wants to face this team now.
Midseason Mediocrity at 25-25
On February 5, the Golden State Warriors found themselves stuck in the middle of the Western Conference standings with a 25-25 record. This wasn’t a bottom-feeder team, but it also wasn’t anything close to a championship-caliber squad.
Despite having high-caliber veterans and rising young stars, the roster lacked the synergy or momentum to fuel a deep playoff run. The franchise was trapped between the allure of one last title chase and the necessity of developing its future core. Golden State was neither sinking nor swimming—it was treading water.
Between Contention and Rebuild
The Warriors were at a crossroads. The core duo of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green still carried championship DNA. But the emergence of talents like Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga demanded attention and playing time.
The front office needed a path that honored the legacy of its championship trio without sacrificing the next generation. Golden State’s decision-makers were unwilling to mortgage their future, and that conviction shaped the deal that would change the entire direction of their season.
Jimmy Butler Becomes Available
When Jimmy Butler made it clear he wanted out of Miami, a rare opportunity presented itself. A five-time All-Star and one of the league’s fiercest competitors, Butler’s availability was a rare chance to acquire a difference-maker without dismantling a young core.
The Warriors saw this as a lifeline—a chance to reignite their season with a jolt of intensity and playoff-ready mentality. Butler’s desire to leave the Heat created the perfect storm for Golden State to make their move without giving up the future.
The Details of the Deal
To land Butler, the Warriors packaged a deal centered around veterans instead of young prospects. Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and Dennis Schröder were all shipped out to accommodate the trade.
These were valuable players, but none carried the upside or ceiling of the young trio Golden State held onto. Importantly, the Warriors kept Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody and the currently injured Jonathan Kuminga out of the deal. That restraint proved crucial. Golden State managed to improve immediately without gutting its potential.
The Butler Effect
Since Jimmy Butler joined the roster, the Warriors have gone 23-8, including an eye-popping 22-5 record when Butler and Curry are both on the court. This isn’t a minor improvement—it’s a transformation.
Butler brought more than talent. He delivered toughness, accountability and a hunger for playoff success. The team’s ball movement sharpened, defensive intensity increased and it started closing out tight games that once slipped away. Butler’s arrival instantly changed the tone and trajectory of the Warriors’ season.
Steph Curry’s Health and Leadership
The Warriors’ surge coincided with Stephen Curry remaining healthy, which is a game-changer. When Curry is on the floor and locked in, he stretches defenses in ways no one else can. With Butler absorbing pressure and driving to the rim, Curry has been free to do what he does best: rain threes and manipulate defenses with surgical precision.
The duo has complemented each other better than anyone anticipated, forming one of the most potent offensive combinations in the NBA.
A Dangerous Team No One Wants to Face
Golden State isn’t a typical lower-seed playoff team anymore. They’re loaded with experience, they’ve got two legitimate stars playing at a high level and they’ve started peaking at the right time.
Opposing coaches know what Curry and Butler are capable of in a seven-game series. Add in the championship pedigree of Draymond Green, and suddenly the Warriors look less like an underdog and more like a looming nightmare. No contender in the West wants to see this version of Golden State in the first round.
Kevin Knox’s Potential X-Factor Role
One under-the-radar name to watch as the playoffs approach is Kevin Knox. A versatile forward with untapped potential, Knox has an opportunity to become a key contributor when the lights get bright.
Known for his standout one-and-done season at the University of Kentucky in the 2017-18 campaign, Knox was a top-tier recruit who led the Wildcats in scoring and showcased his versatility as a 6-foot-7 forward with a smooth shooting touch. That season cemented his status as a lottery pick, and he entered the NBA with high expectations.
While his professional journey has been marked by inconsistency and stops with multiple teams, Knox is carving out a new chapter in Golden State. He’s embraced his role as a versatile bench contributor, bringing valuable size, shooting and defensive energy to a Warriors team that needs every edge in its title chase.
Knox’s ability to stretch the floor and defend multiple positions gives the coaching staff flexibility, especially when the core stars need rest or when matchups demand quick adjustments.
Though he isn’t a household name on this roster, Knox’s contributions have not gone unnoticed by those within the organization. Championship teams aren’t just built on superstars—they’re forged in the minutes when bench players step up and change the course of a game. Knox has shown the potential to do just that, delivering timely buckets and defensive stops that could prove critical in close playoff battles.
With the playoffs heating up, fans in the Bluegrass State have more than just bragging rights at stake. Whether you’re riding with Steph Curry’s late-game magic, Jimmy Butler’s playoff fire, or Kevin Knox’s under-the-radar rise, now is the perfect time to get involved.
Top Kentucky sportsbook promos offer exciting ways to engage with every moment of the Warriors’ playoff journey—turning your team pride into added thrills with every game.
If Knox can step up as a two-way presence, he could be the X-factor that tips a playoff series in Golden State’s favor. His development could be one of the unexpected keys to the Warriors’ playoff success.
Draymond Green’s Championship Grit
Draymond Green remains the emotional engine of the Warriors. His defensive instincts, on-court leadership and ability to anchor switches in critical moments remain unmatched. While not the stat-sheet star, Green’s role becomes even more vital during playoff basketball, where every possession counts.
With Butler and Curry taking over offensive duties, Green can focus entirely on what he does best—wrecking opposing sets, dictating tempo and mentoring the young guys on playoff intensity.
Why This Trade Didn’t Cost the Future
Unlike many all-in trades made at the deadline, Golden State didn’t have to give up any of its promising young pieces. Brandin Podziemski has shown flashes of elite playmaking and floor vision. Moses Moody continues to grow as a dependable two-way player.
And while Jonathan Kuminga is currently out with injury, his explosive athleticism and defensive potential remain central to the Warriors’ long-term plans. Golden State managed to win now without giving up what comes next—and that’s a rare feat in today’s NBA.
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
Since the acquisition of Jimmy Butler, the Warriors have compiled a 23-8 record. But perhaps the more eye-opening stat is their 22-5 record when both Butler and Curry share the floor. That kind of winning percentage—.815—is usually reserved for title favorites. These aren’t just numbers; they’re a warning shot to the rest of the Western Conference. Golden State has found its rhythm, and the league is on notice.
The Championship Window Reopened
For a team that sat at .500 on February 5, the idea of chasing another championship banner seemed distant. But this late-season resurgence isn’t smoke and mirrors—it’s sustainable.
With a top-tier star like Jimmy Butler, a generational shooter in Stephen Curry, a defense anchor in Draymond Green and a bench filled with contributors like Kevin Knox, the Warriors now have both depth and elite firepower. The path to a title won’t be easy, but Golden State has turned itself into a legitimate threat once again.
