Steve Kerr demands NBA trade deadline rule change as Warriors land $121million Jimmy Butler
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr lost two players just an hour before a game. Preparing to face the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, both Dennis Schroder and Andrew Wiggins departed in a five-team trade that sees Jimmy Butler head to San Francisco. Butler has played his last game for the Miami Heat Kerr would have a rotation of players in mind when he got to the arena in Salt Lake City. However, those plans would have to be tossed as his front office was finalizing a deal with the Miami Heat that would send Butler to Golden State as both Wiggins and Schroder left the team. The Heat will receive forwards Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and a top-10 protected 2025 first-round selection from Golden State as well as power forward PJ Tucker from the Utah Jazz in the multi-team deal, per ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania. The Warriors and Butler have also agreed on a two-year, $112 million extension through the 2026-27 season. While Golden State will welcome the arrival of a superstar, having the news that two key players are departing make its way to the bench via a fan an hour before tip-off can cause massive uncertainty. This is something Kerr recognised in his post-game interview as he called for a rule change after their 131-128 loss to the Jazz. “I think the league should consider making the trade deadline at the All-Star break,” Kerr said after losing players while in the arena. “Just so you don’t have to face these games where guys are getting traded half an hour before a game. “You’re trying to process the emotions and trying to win a game. I don’t know if it’s possible.” The trade deadline currently happens before All-Star weekend, meaning teams are sanctioning deals in a period that is extremely busy for the league. Steve Kerr was honest about the issues with the current trade deadline This has even led to flight schedule changes to avoid players getting traded while in the air. “Teams that are scheduled to travel on February 6 have adjusted itineraries after realizing the team would be in the air when the deadline passed. This is to prevent a potential awkward flight,” NBA insider Chirs Haynes posted on X. One clear winner in this drama is certainly Butler — the 35-year-old was quick to react to news of his move on social media when it broke. The forward posted a song on X with the lyrics “Welcome to the Wild Wild West, where the dogs don’t sleep, and the sun don’t set.” Butler’s extension almost matches the $113 million contract he was eligible with the Heat but was never offered. While in Miami, Butler led the team to two NBA Finals and three Eastern Conference Finals appearances. Now a Warriors’ player, the six-time All-Star could debut for his new team on February 9 when they head to Chicago to face the Bulls. Fans are already excited to see how Butler and Draymond Green — two volatile personalities — will link up. View Tweet: https://twitter.com/overtime?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr lost two players just an hour before a game.
Preparing to face the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, both Dennis Schroder and Andrew Wiggins departed in a five-team trade that sees Jimmy Butler head to San Francisco.
Kerr would have a rotation of players in mind when he got to the arena in Salt Lake City.
However, those plans would have to be tossed as his front office was finalizing a deal with the Miami Heat that would send Butler to Golden State as both Wiggins and Schroder left the team.
The Heat will receive forwards Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and a top-10 protected 2025 first-round selection from Golden State as well as power forward PJ Tucker from the Utah Jazz in the multi-team deal, per ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania.
The Warriors and Butler have also agreed on a two-year, $112 million extension through the 2026-27 season.
While Golden State will welcome the arrival of a superstar, having the news that two key players are departing make its way to the bench via a fan an hour before tip-off can cause massive uncertainty.
This is something Kerr recognised in his post-game interview as he called for a rule change after their 131-128 loss to the Jazz.
“I think the league should consider making the trade deadline at the All-Star break,” Kerr said after losing players while in the arena.
“Just so you don’t have to face these games where guys are getting traded half an hour before a game.
“You’re trying to process the emotions and trying to win a game. I don’t know if it’s possible.”
The trade deadline currently happens before All-Star weekend, meaning teams are sanctioning deals in a period that is extremely busy for the league.
This has even led to flight schedule changes to avoid players getting traded while in the air.
“Teams that are scheduled to travel on February 6 have adjusted itineraries after realizing the team would be in the air when the deadline passed. This is to prevent a potential awkward flight,” NBA insider Chirs Haynes posted on X.
One clear winner in this drama is certainly Butler — the 35-year-old was quick to react to news of his move on social media when it broke.
The forward posted a song on X with the lyrics “Welcome to the Wild Wild West, where the dogs don’t sleep, and the sun don’t set.”
Butler’s extension almost matches the $113 million contract he was eligible with the Heat but was never offered.
While in Miami, Butler led the team to two NBA Finals and three Eastern Conference Finals appearances.
Now a Warriors’ player, the six-time All-Star could debut for his new team on February 9 when they head to Chicago to face the Bulls.
Fans are already excited to see how Butler and Draymond Green — two volatile personalities — will link up.
