Turn the clock back to 35 days ago, on February 7, Beijing time, Jimmy Butler appeared at the Warriors press conference. At this point, he heard his new teammates cheering on outside the room. The six-time NBA All-Star smiled and said, "Those guys are my teammates now." ”

As soon as Butler arrived in Golden State, he was determined not to let himself and the Heat storm envelop him like the fog of an early morning in San Francisco. That's why the experienced striker told his new team-mates that he's all about winning.

"I walked into the team and said, 'Hey, listen, I'm here to win a championship,'" Butler told Andscape, "'I don't care about anything else.'" I don't care about the score, I don't care about the number of shots, I don't care about that. I'm here to win the championship, and I've always been there to win the championship. So, whatever you need me to do, just ask. ’

"'Please be more forgiving to me, for I am a newcomer until I am familiar with everything here. But one thing has always been the same, my enthusiasm has never been higher, because I've come here and nothing has changed. The goal is still to win the championship. ’”

Everything has been going well since Butler joined the Warriors. In just over a month, the Warriors have gone from being a team that may only be able to make the play-offs to a championship contender.

Throughout the season, the Warriors have been desperately looking for a reliable No. 2 scorer to play alongside All-Star guard Curry. Prior to Butler's promotional debut in Chicago on Feb. 9, the Warriors were 25-26 and 10th in the Western Conference. Butler certainly fits the criteria as the No. 2 scorer, averaging 17 points per game even in difficult times with the Heat, and has top-notch defensive prowess.

There's something peculiar about Butler's deal. On Feb. 6, the Warriors were on the road against the Jazz when the deal was struck. At halftime, both Curry and Green texted Butler to welcome him. Butler replied to them and told them to focus on winning the game (which the Warriors ultimately lost 128-131) and then worry about him. Still, the message was of great significance to Butler.

"As soon as we learned about the deal, we were preparing for the game and we wanted him to know, 'Hey, we're looking forward to you joining,'" Green said, "It's something that everybody was expecting, not that we knew it was going to be Butler." But we knew a heavyweight was coming, and we've been fighting for it. So I just wanted him to know that we're all excited to have him on board. ”

While Butler initially wanted to go to the Suns, and the Warriors were hoping to welcome back the Suns' All-Star forward Durant, Butler eventually came together with the Warriors. Butler said that after the trade was completed, he had in-depth and necessary conversations with Curry and Green to get them on the same page. Butler also felt the Warriors' desire for him, and the Warriors not only desperately needed him, but also signed him to a two-year, $111 million contract extension that runs through the 2026-27 season.

"I see a team that wants me to be a part of it," Butler said, "and the most you want in this life is to be needed, not just in this league." In everything, you want to be needed...... I think that's the highest respect. ”

"I've talked to both of them [Curry and Green], and I've actually talked about them many times before. They said, 'Together we can do something special.' We need what you bring to the table, that winning mentality, toughness on both ends of the pitch. I think that's exactly what I expected. That's what they said I could bring to the table, and I was like, 'Do it.'" ’”

According to sources, Butler asked to be traded because he felt he wasn't taken into account by the Heat's direction and he was eager to be taken more seriously. The four-time NBA All-Star was in his seventh season with the Heat when he finally requested a trade. From 2019 to 2025, Butler led the Heat to the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023, averaging 21 points, 6.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game, and was named to the All-Star team twice.

This season, the Heat have suspended Butler three times, twice because his actions were detrimental to the team's interests and once because he missed the team's flight. After learning on Jan. 28 that he would be deployed off the bench, Butler left shooting practice and was subsequently suspended indefinitely. Butler made his promotional debut with the Warriors on Feb. 9, his first appearance since Jan. 22.

Reflecting on his final days in Miami, Butler added, "I'm healthy, I have my kids, and I have the 'Big Face' brand (his coffee company). I'm all right. I had the opportunity to take care of my own business, hone my game, spend time with people close to me, and play dominoes. I knew I was going to end up where I was needed, and I knew I was going to keep playing basketball. ”

So, how did Butler's ending in Miami affect his psyche?

"I'm so good. Why am I bad? I'm in excellent shape. Basketball isn't hard, and basketball isn't all there is to my life, it doesn't define me. I'm in a really good frame of mind right now," Butler said.

Since Butler's arrival, the Warriors have become the best performing team in the Western Conference. The Golden State Warriors have a 12-1 record in Butler's games and are on a five-game winning streak before the Kings. Butler averaged 17.6 points, 5.7 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game in 13 games for the Warriors.

Butler's arrival also benefited Curry a lot. Over the past 14 games, Curry has averaged 29.9 points, 9.0 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 42.4 percent from three-point range. Curry also said that with Butler on the roster, he is more comfortable playing in his regular rotation. Warriors head coach Kerr revealed that since Butler's arrival, Curry has been saying that the team has another chance to challenge for a championship. In addition, Butler spends time coaching the Warriors' young players after practice.

"Super consistent, very professional," Curry commented, "He's been in the spotlight all season, but I appreciate the way he approaches everything." Green and I used to say that we don't ask anyone to change themselves, as long as everyone gives it their all. ”

After signing a contract extension with the Warriors, Butler also needs to make some adjustments off the court.

Since coming to San Francisco, Butler has stayed in a luxury hotel in the heart of the city. He's looking for a new home, but sources say the search process has been a bit of a bump in the road due to the limited time he has had in San Francisco after the deal. He said that when he has time, he also wants to open a "big face coffee" shop in the Bay Area. He often plays dominoes with Green, though Butler smirks slyly and says he won't reveal who has the upper hand.

"I'm here now. The team is great, the team-mates are great, it's a great feeling to win, and we're going to do whatever it takes to win here," Butler said, "and that's what makes me have such a good mentality." We're starting to win again. I love the atmosphere. I really...... It's great not to talk about myself all the time. Let me go drink my coffee, play my dominoes, and don't bother me. ”