At a point this season, the Golden State Warriors were just 25-25, looking like a shell of their once-powerful selves. Both Draymond Green and Stephen Curry were still playing high-level basketball, but their once-elite supporting cast had departed, either to other teams or to retirement. 

Golden State was all but counted out, although the front office was not yet ready to give up. Right before the trade deadline, the Warriors added Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat.

Feb 12, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and forward Jimmy Butler (10) defend against Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center.

© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

With a 2-1 lead over the Houston Rockets in their first-round matchup, it’s clear that the Warriors were correct in re-investing in their decorated duo, adding a third star that they desperately needed.

For Green and Curry, the message the organization sent them was clear: win another title.

“There’s an appreciation that we felt and feel. We were sitting there and coming to that realization we got an obligation to uphold,” Green told ESPN. “They [traded for Butler] for us because they still believe in us.”

Before Butler was added, the writing was very clearly on the wall. Curry and Green would get a chance to retire in The Bay, that much has been clear, although they likely would fizzle out instead of riding into the sunset.

Now, the Warriors are considered very real contenders, and with their trio under contract for the next three seasons, they aren’t going anywhere.

Clearly, investing in Green and Curry still results in a massive payout. 

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