Jimmy Butler said he "has his joy back" after clinching a trade from the Miami Heat to the Golden State Warriors, before setting his sights on winning an NBA championship. (More Sports News)
Butler had been searching for a move away from Miami, having been suspended by the team three times since the start of January.
The Heat accused Butler of engaging in "a continued pattern of disregard of team rules, engaging in conduct detrimental to the team and intentionally withholding services", after he reportedly stormed out of a practice session.
On Wednesday, around 24 hours before the league's trade deadline, reports emerged that the Warriors were sending Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson and a protected first-round draft pick to Miami in exchange for Butler.
After making the trade official and signing a $111million, two-year contract extension,바카라 웹사이트the six-time All-Star said he was looking forward to rediscovering his love of basketball with Golden State.
"All of that is behind me, moving forward," Butler said of the speculation that has followed him in recent weeks.
"I'm happy to be here. I'm happy to be wanted again. I've got a feeling I'm going to be back, in a big way, too. So I'm smiling.
"I've been going at it, I've been doing everything I'm supposed to be doing. I know that I have my joy back now. I'm in a different situation, with a different group of guys."
Butler has never won an NBA championship, losing in바카라 웹사이트both of his NBA Finals appearances with Miami in 2020 and 2023.
The Warriors, meanwhile, are targeting a seventh NBA Finals appearance in the last 11 years, though Thursday's defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers left them 11th in the Eastern Conference standings with a 25-26 record.
Butler believes he can help the franchise return to the top, saying: "I would like to say that I am a winner.
"I haven't won 'it' but I would like to call myself a winner. I do want to win 'it' – it being a championship."
Following his move, Butler will link up with two-time MVP Stephen Curry, and he feels playing with the future Hall of Famer will be straightforward.
"We good. Pass the ball to Steph and get out of the way. Easy," Butler said.
