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Golden State Warriors: 3 potential side effects from a Jimmy Butler trade

By Nathan Beighle

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 8: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves speak after game on November 8, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 8: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors and Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves speak after game on November 8, 2017 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 08: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in action against Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 08: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Minnesota Timberwolves in action against Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /

The Dubs get to have a legit Western Conference title contender

While Jimmy Butler could be traded to New York where he’s rumored to team up with Kyrie Irving this offseason, they could also trade him to the Lakers, a place he’s ‘open to joining.’

If that happens and LeBron James gets his second superstar, could the Warriors have a pertinent Western Conference threat? A lineup of James, Ball, Kuzma, Butler and Ingram does have a nice ring to it with a solid veteran bench including Rajon Rondo and Lance Stephenson.

The idea behind trading for a superstar in a contract year is that you’ll pay less, but if things don’t go as planned, he could take off that ensuing offseason. Just like Kawhi Leonard can, if Los Angeles isn’t a place Butler finds happiness, he could leave.

Would the Lakers want to take that chance with such a wide array of assets? Not just the Lakers, would any Western or Eastern Conference team want to trade a mighty load for Butler?

That’s why his situation will be so intriguing, and from the Warriors standpoint, they have no need to bring in Jimmy Butler and don’t even have the cap to do so. But, it could certainly impact them if Butler commands a trade to a Western powerhouse.

There are side effects if traded to the East and West, but what if no trade occurs?

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