The Golden State Warriors took a risk by landing Jimmy Butler in a blockbuster trade. Draymond Green says it's now up to the players to prove it was the right move.
The Warriors traded Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson, Lindy Waters III and a top-10-protected first-round pick in the move for Butler. They also handed Butler a two-year, $113 million extension after the deal.
Golden State was in need of a spark, and they'll head into Butler's debut on Saturday with a 25-26 record, currently sitting outside the Western Conference playoff picture. Draymond Green praised general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. for pulling the trigger on the move and emphasized that it's now on him and his teammates to make it work.
"(Dunleavy) made a move to help us. It's on us to make him right," Green said.
Butler is coming with a winning mentality. He helped lead the Miami Heat to two NBA Finals appearances but has yet to win a title. Butler wants to change that with Golden State -the fifth team of his carrer.
"I would like to say that I am a winner," Butler said during his introductory press conference. "I haven't won ‘it' but I would like to call myself a winner. I do want to win ‘it' - it being a championship."
The Warriors have lost three of their last four, including a 120-112 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. Butler has averaged 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists this season.
