Utah Jazz Play Facilitator In Blockbuster Jimmy Butler Trade

SALT LAKE CITY – It is no surprise to anyone that Jimmy Butler‘s time in Miami has run its course. The looming question was where Butler would land as the trade deadline approached. The NBA world got their answer when ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Butler is heading west to the Golden State Warriors. Butler agreed to a two-year, $121 million extension as part of the trade.

The Jazz (11-37) are hosting Golden State (25-24) at Delta Center on Wednesday, February 5. While Utah is on track for their tank with the worst record in the West, the once-proud Warriors cling to the final play-in spot. If the playoffs started today, the Warriors would face Phoenix in a first-round play-in game.

RELATED: Jazz Vs. Warriors Live Blog

BREAKING: The Miami Heat are finalizing a deal to send Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors for Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson and a protected first-round pick, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/82mWHKCnVM

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 6, 2025

In return for the five-time All-NBA player, the Warriors send out Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schröder, Kyle Anderson, and a protected first-round pick.

So the @utahjazz use the PJ Tucker contract to help facilitate this deal.

Tucker was owed $11.5 million this season compared to $13 million for Schroder.

Would think the Jazz will get another asset in this deal. https://t.co/WMgXxDOPao

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 6, 2025

Utah is expected to take on Schröder’s expiring $13 million contract. In the deal, Anderson will be rerouted to Toronto. Reports have not indicated whether the Jazz will receive additional draft compensation for their involvement.

That leads me to think the Jazz either plan to reroute him before tomorrow, are getting extra cash in this deal to help cover a potential buyout, making him cheaper than Tucker, or are getting an additional asset.

But I could be wrong.

— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 6, 2025

This is the fourth trade Danny Ainge, Justin Zanik, and the Jazz have been involved in recently.

Jazz host Warriors as NBA trade deadline looms

Utah has been busy, shipping out Drew Eubanks and Patty Mills while bringing in Jalen Hood-Schifino, PJ Tucker, a first-round pick, and multiple seconds. Despite the flurry of recent activity, numerous reports around the league see the Jazz remaining active as the Thursday, February 6, 1 p.m. MT trade deadline approaches.

Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, Collin Sexton, and others have been rumored targets as teams gear up for the playoff push. With the focus squarely on development and learning about its young core, Utah’s front office is expected to focus on long-term additions and draft compensation as the team builds for the future.

Tonight's matchup between the @utahjazz and the @warriors has taken a backseat to trade rumors between Kevin Durant and Golden State. #TakeNote https://t.co/j3gmxSaeUv

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) February 5, 2025

Conversely, Golden State wants to squeeze everything possible out of the Steph Curry era. With the future Hall of Famer still playing at a high level, the Warriors have been linked to names like Jimmy Butler, the already traded Zach LaVine, and former Bay Area star Kevin Durant, among others.

The Warriors enter the night on tenuous ground, holding on to the final play-in spot in a loaded Western Conference. With the new-look Dallas Mavericks and all-star De’Aaron Fox in the fold for the San Antonio Spurs, Golden State must make significant changes to improve its playoff odds.

RELATED: ESPN Dumps Jazz Vs. Suns Broadcast On Friday

The Jazz have been competitive despite dropping 12 of their past 14 games. Utah’s defense has been a struggle, especially at the basket with Walker Kessler off the floor. Utah’s 119 defensive rating is 29th in the league. The Jazz haven’t been much better offensively, sputtering to a 111.8 offensive rating, 22nd in the NBA.

Golden State has the ninth-best defense but has looked uncharacteristically out of sorts on the other end. The once-vaunted Warriors’ offense, with a 112.1 offensive rating, is 20th in the league.

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Follow the Utah Jazz with KSL Sports

Tonight’s game against the Warriors is being televised on KJZZ, streamed on SEG+, and heard on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone.

Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky. 

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Brian Preece is a sports.ksl.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X and Instagram at @bpreece24. 

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