Golden State Warriors Updated depth chart: Where does Jimmy Butler fit next to Steph Curry after blockbuster move?

After so much noise about a potential Jimmy Butler trade to the Golden State Warriors, the deal will finally happen. Shams Charania reported that the “Miami Heat are finalizing a deal to send Jimmy Butler” to the Bay Area team. In return, Pat Riley's team will get Dennis Schroder, Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and a protected first-round pick.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who said a few days ago that the team could not stand pat, will get another star. Butler will form a new Big 3 with Draymond Green and Steph Curry.

Here is what the Golden State Warriors’ depth chart will look like once the deal will be finalized:

Starters	2nd	3rd
Steph Curry	Brandin Podziemski	Pat Spencer
Buddy Hield	Gary Payton II
Jimmy Butler	Moses Moody
Draymond Green	Jonathan Kuminga	Gui Santos
Quinten Post	Trayce-Jackson Davis	Kevon Looney

Lindy Waters III was added to the deal. However, the Heat kept the first-round pick and Wiggins before rerouting the other assets. Here's a summary of the trade centered around Butler:

Steve Kerr’s starting unit will look largely the same, except for Jimmy Butler taking over the small forward spot left by Andrew Wiggins. Green and Curry are fixtures, while Kerr can fill out the first five with Jonathan Kuminga or Quinten Post as the bigs. Buddy Hield, Moses Moody or Gary Payton II will start at shooting guard.

The Golden State Warriors were rewarded in their chase for the six-time All-Star. A few days ago, NBA insider Brian Windhorst reported that trade talks between the Heat and the Warriors stopped. Per the ESPN analyst, Butler told the Dubs he would not sign an extension if traded.

The situation likely changed with the trade deadline fast approaching. Otherwise, Golden State would not have agreed to give up the assets they offered for a few months of a Butler rental.

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The Golden State Warriors get a proven playoff performer in Jimmy Butler

Since arriving in Miami in 2019, the Heat have been perennial playoff overperformers because of Jimmy Butler. During his stint in South Florida, he led the team to three conference finals and two NBA Finals appearances. The Heat routinely beat higher-seeded teams in the playoffs.

Butler's most impressive run came in 2023. Despite having to make the postseason via the play-in tournament, the Miami Heat reached the championship round, where they lost to the Denver Nuggets. Along the way, the Heat knocked off the No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks, the No. 4 New York Knicks and the second-seeded Boston Celtics.

The Golden State Warriors get a proven playoff performer in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals MVP. The move to the Bay Area could help him earn his first Larry O'Brien Trophy.