With Jimmy Butler's injury yesterday, the Warriors season looks to only go downhill. They already had an offensive rating of 106 when without Steph but have now lost their second option. In this trade they add DeRozan, White, Vuc, Ellis and Pat Williams. Coby White is having a down year compared to last season, but is still averaging 18 Pts on 59% True Shooting and would add some nice scoring next to Steph. White is also on an expiring contract keeping GSW flexible going into next season. DeRozan is still a solid scorer averaging 19 Pts on 60% True Shooting. Together White and Derozan could help the Warriors offense in non Steph minutes. The Warriors would also be adding a solid centre in Vucevic who can help space the floor with his ability to shoot 3s. This would also allow the Warriors to move Draymond to the 4 helping their rebounding struggles. Like White, Vuc is also on a expiring deal, keeping the Warriors future flexible. The Warriors would also acquire Keon Ellis from the Kings, a good defensive guard who could contribute to this team now but also in a post Steph warriors team. The last player they'd acquire is Patrick Williams who I've included instead of Kevin Huerter as to avoid the Warriors sending out another first to Chicago. Williams has been a draft bust for Chicago and is on a bad contract that the Warriors would take on; however maybe a change of environment with good coaches and HOF players could help Williams regain some of the qualities that led to Chicago drafting him.

The Bulls would be receiving Butler, Podz and Post as well as the Warriors 2026 unprotected first. Butler would be out for the rest of this season and his level next season would remain unknown. However there is always the possibility for the Bulls to get some possible assets in return for him next season or use his salary and some draft capital to go and get their star via trades. If the Bulls were unable to move on Jimmy next season they would still have an expiring $56m contract on their books. Alongside Butler, the Bulls would attain Brandin Podziemski who seems to be a promising guard who is shooting 41% from 3 this season and 38% on his NBA career. This shooting could be a nice blend with Giddey going forward for Chicago. The Bulls would also get Quinten Post, a sophomore centre who has already shown the ability to shoot the 3 and stretch the floor. The Bulls would also get the Warriors unprotected 2026 pick in what is rumoured to be one of the best draft classes. This could give the Bulls potentially 3 First round picks depending on where the Blazers finish the season. With the Warriors currently 8th in a stacked West, where I don't see them catching any of OKC/Spurs/Denver/Wolves, this pick could hold some good value. Originally I had Chicago sending out Kevin Huerter instead of Williams, but I think the Warriors would have to send Chicago another draft pick in that case and think this is more balanced for both teams.

The Kings would get the guy they have been rumoured to be interested in for a while in Jonathan Kuminga who has a team option for the 2026-27 season. They would free up some cap space from next season in the form of moving off Derozan and would be swapping one young prospect in Keon Ellis for a more promising and young wing to include in their rebuild.

Ultimately I think Kings say Yes and then it depends on the Bulls and Warriors. The Warriors may prefer to go after another bigger 2nd option alongside Steph rather than get multiple pieces around Steph at a lower cost; i.e. MPJ/JJJ. However if I were them I'd want to hold onto their picks going forward as I don't think they have the assets to compete in an already stacked West. For the Bulls, it depends where they value Vuc+White. I think the Williams contract is so bad in my opinion that I think it would demand some sort of draft capital itself, hence I think this would contradict the need for the Warriors to send another first. If necessary, I'd be willing to send 1 more pick (lottery protected) or pick swap if I were the Warriors.

New-look Warriors PG - Steph SG - White SF - DeRozan PF - Draymond C - Vucevic Bench: Ellis, Moody, Hield, Williams, Horford. This would much improve the Warriors depth around Steph who is playing like a top 10 player still. They'd also still have De'Anthony Melton who was signed on a minimum deal and has looked solid. This trade also means they'd still have their 2027,2028,2029,2031, 2032 FRPs as well as some solid contracts that they could package to further improve this roster if they are willing to go all in for Steph.