The very injury-prone Jimmy Butler is done for the season due to a torn ACL on Monday night during a 135-112 win over the Miami Heat. Before the season-ending setback, Butler played a total of 38 games, averaging 20 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists while shooting 51.9% from the field.
Golden and Blue took a gamble last February by acquiring Butler in a multi-team deal with the Heat. But they didn’t expect that they would have to think about trading the Texas native again before using him for one full season.
So, Warriors’ front office faces massive pressure to replace Butler’s production before the Feb. 5 trade deadline to remain alive in the playoff race. Coincidentally, the Sacramento Kings are also looking for a deal to trade their guard DeMar DeRozan.
Compared to Butler, DeRozan’s numbers are also down this season, posting his lowest scoring average since 2012–13. The California native has played 45 games and is averaging 18.4 points per game. With both players seeing a dip in production, speculation about a potential Butler–DeRozan trade has piqued recently.
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But according to Sam Amick of The Athletic, the Warriors aren’t targeting DeRozan but have “strong interest” in New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III instead. The report also mentioned Herb Jones as another Pelicans target.
“As for DeMar DeRozan, while he has been cited as a possible replacement in the wake of the Warriors losing Jimmy Butler for the season with a torn ACL on Monday night, a Kings source indicated the Warriors have shown no interest in the 36-year-old guard,” Amick wrote.
He added, “As has been widely reported, Golden State’s strong interest in New Orleans’ Trey Murphy III most certainly remains. It’s just a matter of whether New Orleans will change its current stance and do a deal on that front. (The same applies to the Pelicans’ Herb Jones.)”
The Warriors’ stance properly makes sense because they have the league’s best three-pointer, Stephen Curry, who is averaging 27.4 points. Curry essentially needs a partner who can defend and space the floor around him just like Butler, not the Kings’ guard.
Meanwhile, Murphy’s production is pretty impressive, making 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. He’s exactly the type of 3-and-D wing that fits Golden State’s current system, though DeRozan brings a sort of veteran experience.
However, the Pelicans remain firm on their asking price. They have made it clear that Jones and Murphy will come at a high asking price, starting at a minimum of two unprotected first-round picks, because they reportedly want to continue with both Jones and Murphy this season. If so, then Steve Kerr’s squad is in a very tough spot.