Butler ACL Blow Forces Warriors Trade Frenzy

Merlin sees Golden State in a bind after Jimmy Butler suffered a torn ACL Monday. Because the injury came before the Feb. 5 trade deadline, the Warriors can still chase help for Stephen Curry. ESPN options include reintegrating the disgruntled Jonathan Kuminga or trading him for a veteran like DeMar DeRozan, with Shams Charania noting "We know Sacramento and Dallas are two teams with interest in Jonathan Kuminga right now." Other names floated are Michael Porter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen as immediate scoring answers for a team that sits 25-19 in eighth place. Merlin notes the fork in the road. Adding a proven scorer buys a short term push but costs youth and flexibility, while leaning on Kuminga or a buy-low like Porter Jr. preserves the future but risks inconsistent returns. Expect Golden State to test the market aggressively yet avoid mortgaging its core unless an elite fit appears.