The Golden State Warriors are getting results from their trade with Jimmy Butler in the 2025 NBA playoffs. With Butler, the Warriors have outperformed the Houston Rockets and could end their first-round series as they have a 3-1 lead to advance to the second round. On Tuesday, former NBA player Chandler Parsons explained how the Warriors had a more impactful trade than the Los Angeles Lakers.
Both franchises made significant roster changes. The Warriors had a five-team deal by not giving up most of their core players. The Lakers, meanwhile, gave up Anthony Davis to acquire Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks.
The Warriors and Lakers improved after the deal. The Stephen Curry-led team had a solid contributor in Butler and secured the seventh seed after the Play-In Tournament. Los Angeles drastically improved and snatched the third spot in the West.
However, the situation has changed in the postseason. While the Warriors could advance to the semifinals, the Minnesota Timberwolves could eliminate the Lakers in the first round.
On the recent episode of FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back,” Parsons explained the difference in impact for both franchises.
“I think right now, it’s the Warriors and Jimmy Butler,” Parsons said. “The impact he made, this team was dead in the water… Then you bring in a Jimmy Butler.
“This team has just taken off to a whole new level. And I think we can judge Luka’s impact further down the road, long-term… I think his impact will come. The Lakers were already good with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Do I think they got better with Luka? 100% I think they won that trade.
“But there’s no denying the impact that Jimmy Butler has had on this team,” he said.
Golden State Warriors’ star says he doesn’t like Dillon Brooks
Tempers have flared in Game 4 between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets. At one point, Butler was seen talking trash to Dillon Brooks while the game was stopped.
After the Warriors’ 109-106 victory, the six-time All-Star was asked about his thoughts on Brooks. The forward did not hesitate and told the reporters that he isn’t a fan of the 3-and-D forward for the Rockets.
“No, we’re not having fun,” Butler said via The Athletic’s Anthony Slater. “Get me on the record with this: I don’t like Dillon Brooks. We’re never having fun. I’m a fierce competitor. He’s a fierce competitor. There ain’t nothing fun about that.”
In Game 4, Butler hurt himself on the floor. However, the Golden State Warriors have listed the star forward as probable for Game 5, a potential elimination game.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
