The Golden State Warriors were able to acquire NBA champion and former All-Star Kristaps Porzingis at the trade deadline to add some rim protection and floor-spacing in the front court, but their hopes of contending this year essentially went out the window after Jimmy Butler went down with a season-ending injury.

Butler suffered a torn ACL against the Miami Heat on January 19th, as the 36-year-old will have a tough path trying to recover from injury and get back out on the court sometime next season to try and help the Warriors contend again in the Steph Curry era. Luckily, Butler appears extremely motivated to get back out there.

In a message sent out to Warriors season ticket holders, Butler made it known just how happy he is to be a member of the Warriors, as well as how he'll be fighting hard to get back out on the court as soon as possible.

"So, when I received the phone call on February 5, 2025, that I had been traded to the Warriors, I knew it had a chance to be special. But even I wasn’t prepared for what it means to be part of Dub Nation, playing in front of the loudest, most loyal and dedicated fans in the NBA," Butler said.

Butler was stellar since the moment he stepped on the court for the Warriors, scoring 25 points in his debut against the Chicago Bulls, leading Golden State in a second-half turnaround where the team was 23-7 in the games he played to end the 2024-25 season.

"Nonetheless, we move forward and will continue to battle our way to the postseason. I am excited to see my guys compete for the remainder of this season, but also heartbroken to know that I will not be out there with them. They’re my brothers," Butler added.

Golden State currently sits with a 29-27 record, sitting as the eighth seed in the Western Conference, with the Los Angeles Clippers getting closer. At the end of the day, a top-six seed is the only way the Warriors guarantee themselves a playoff berth; otherwise, they'll have to make it out of the play-in tournament yet again.

Without Butler, it's possible, but it's unlikely they'll go far without their second-leading scorer.

"I can promise you that I will attack my rehab with a singular focus that will enable me to get back to playing the game that I love, in front of the fans that I have grown to love and appreciate...This story, which has been interrupted twice, is not complete. Not by a long shot," Butler added.

Realistically, Golden State probably won't see Butler suit up again until early 2027, meaning they'll need everything they can get from players like Moses Moody, De'Anthony Melton, and Brandin Podziemski in the meantime. If Porzingis can start to look like his old self, though, this Warriors team could be dangerous in 2027.

Regardless, Butler poured his heart out there for Warriors fans and appears committed to the team.