The NBA trade deadline passed and Jimmy Butler got his wish to be traded from the Miami Heat. However, he didn’t get his desire to join the Phoenix Suns. Rather, the Golden State Warriors were the team that acquired the frustrated star from the Heat in exchange for Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and more in a five-team deal.
Many believe that Golden State’s move to get Butler improves their chances of getting into the postseason. That includes former NBA player Kendrick Perkins. The current ESPN pundit discussed his expectations for the Stephen Curry-led club on Thursday, following the addition of a backup star. Strangely enough, he made a fascinating analogy using hit music icons.
“The Warriors’ ceiling with Jimmy right now is a first-round exit,” Perkins said. “I was looking for the Warriors, I’m thinking that they’re going to go out there and go get a Beyonce or Taylor Swift. They ended up with a Nicki Minaj and that’s okay.”
Kendrick Perkins says the Warriors wanted a Beyoncé/Taylor Swift but ended up with a Nicki Minaj 😬
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24) pic.twitter.com/7ipKaZ0yO3
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 6, 2025
The Heat have been a consistent playoff team since they acquired Butler in 2019. In his first season, the six-time All-Star led Miami to the NBA Finals and lasted six games against the LA Lakers. Miami was in the postseason for two consecutive seasons after that and returned to the Finals in 2023.
They went up against the Denver Nuggets and lost in five games. Last year, the Heat still proved to be a playoff team but were eliminated in the first round by the eventual champions, the Boston Celtics.
While Butler still holds the reputation of being a threat in the postseason, his injuries and age have affected his recent play. Now that he’s paired with Curry, an aging star, Perkins predicts the team won’t last in the playoffs.
Warriors’ buyout target is not available
Credit: AP Photo
The Toronto Raptors traded for Brandon Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans before the deadline. In return, the Raptors gave the Pelicans Bruce Brown Jr., Kelly Olynyk and draft picks. After the deal, there were initial reports that the Pelicans and Brown would agree to a contract buyout agreement.
“Brown is on a $23 million contract for this season, so his list of potential suitors after a buyout is smaller than other candidates,” Bleacher Report’s Joe Tansey reported. “If the Pels choose the buyout route with Brown, Golden State could be a fascinating option as an upgrade from some of the young talent on the Warriors roster.”
However, NBA Insider Jake Fischer reported on Thursday that Brown is not a buyout candidate.
“The Pelicans are keeping Brown, sources said, and both sides sound open to a new deal at season’s end,” Fischer wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Bruce Brown Jr. is not a buyout candidate. The Pelicans are keeping Brown, sources said, and both sides sound open to a new deal at season’s end. Brown should also have plenty of interest in free agency, if he continues a strong return from injury.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 7, 2025
Brown is a seven-year veteran who won a title with the Nuggets in 2023.
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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 with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
