Here’s a full breakdown of how Jimmy Butler’s move to the Golden State Warriors helped make life easier for Stephen Curry — and what the team’s coach and players have said about it.
🟡 The trade & contract in brief
At the 2025 trade deadline the Warriors acquired Jimmy Butler in a deal that included giving up some key pieces.
Shortly thereafter, Butler signed a two‑year extension for about $121 million.
The move was an all‑in effort by the Warriors to maximize the window with Curry and Draymond Green.
🎯 What Coach Steve Kerr said
Coach Kerr explicitly stated one of the big reasons for acquiring Butler was to make life easier for Stephen Curry.
Kerr said:
> “A big reason for the [Butler] trade is to help Steph, help alleviate some of that pressure… I imagine that Jimmy is going to be really important for us both with Steph next to him and when Steph’s off the floor.”
He also noted Butler brings swagger, confidence, and toughness to a team that needed that.
So from the coach’s vantage point: adding Butler helps free up Curry, reduces burden on him, and improves team balance.
✅ How exactly Butler is easing things for Curry
Here are some concrete ways Butler’s presence is making Curry’s job easier:
1. Offensive spacing & flow
Butler himself said:
> “I get the easy job. I’m playing one‑on‑one, I’m playing in so much space. And then everybody’s looking for him [Curry], everybody’s looking to get him open. And at the same time, he’s looking for everybody else.”
From the article:
> “From the first game … you might not have something going and he [Butler] can create a shot for himself or somebody else … he sees the floor so well … So yeah, it’s been an easy transition.”
Translation: Butler demands attention, draws defenders, can make plays — which gives Curry more room to operate.
2. Reducing workload & pressure
Because Butler can take on scoring, playmaking, and defensive responsibilities, Curry has more margin for rest, specialization, and efficiency.
As one source noted:
> “When Butler joined Golden State, the Warriors … [now] have a source of uncomplicated offense that they’ve desperately craved … When all else fails, get Butler … let him go to work.”
Curry also acknowledged:
> “Jimmy obviously helps … He helps a lot, and it’s led to winning because we have a good balance and good flow …”
3. Confidence & team culture boost
With Butler in the mix, the Warriors’ “ceiling” feels higher; Curry sensed that shift.
Green recounted Curry’s words after the trade:
> “Man, it just dawned on me, like, this is it. This is the last ride.”
Butler’s arrival changed how the team approached comeback situations and their belief in winning. Green:
> “Steph was right. We were not built to come back like that. But this is a totally different team. Totally different confidence level in this team.”
📌 The big picture meaning for Curry
Curry now has more reliable support around him — not just shooters but another star who can create and shoulder offense and defense.
He’s less solely responsible for carrying the team night after night, which is important as he ages and as the team windows tighten.
His mindset changed: the trade reminded him the window is closing, which sharpened urgency and focus.
With Butler’s fit, the Warriors improved in key metrics (offense, defense, net rating) which indirectly helps Curry’s effectiveness because when the team is better he needs to do less heavy lifting.
🔍 One caveat
While the trade shows promise, as with all major roster changes the long‑term success depends on health, chemistry, and playoff performance. But so far the early signs indicate the move is working as intended.