Jimmy Butler Says He’s ‘Better Than Ever’ as Warriors Eye a Comeback Season

Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler is talking like a man who’s been through the grind and come out the other side. Recovering from an ACL injury that wiped out most of his 2026-27 season, Butler told ESPN’s Anthony Slater he finally feels like himself again. And not just the same old Jimmy, either.

“I’m right back to who I’ve always been,” Butler said. “Probably better if we was to really talk about it. I know I’m still going to be a top player whenever I get back. I have a couple good years left in me, and we’re going to ride it until the wheels fall off.”

That kind of confidence isn’t surprising from Butler, who has made a career out of proving people wrong. But coming off a major knee injury at age 37, the stakes are different. The Warriors are betting on him being a central piece of what could be one more title push before the core ages out.

Warriors Load Up While Butler Rehabs

Golden State hasn’t been sitting still. They drafted Yaxel Lendeborg, a rookie who scouts say is one of the most NBA-ready players in this class. Lendeborg is expected to contribute immediately, and the team has already locked in contract extensions for big men Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford — both key pieces from Boston’s 2024 championship team. That’s not a rebuild. That’s a reload.

Butler’s rehab is progressing. According to The Athletic’s Nick Friedell, Butler is about six weeks away from being cleared to run. He plans to host the team at his San Diego-area home before training camp, a move that sounds like he’s already thinking about chemistry and leadership, not just recovery.

“Jimmy says he’s doing well in his rehab,” Friedell reported. “He’s about a month and a half away from running again. He’s hoping to have the team back down to his San Diego area home before training camp starts again.”

What This Means for the Warriors’ Window

Golden State missed Butler for most of last season, and it showed. The offense stalled in tight games. There wasn’t a guy who could manufacture a bucket when everything broke down. That’s the role Butler fills. If he comes back at even 85 percent of what he was, this team looks different. If he’s right about being better than before, the rest of the West has a problem.

Lendeborg and the Warriors will tip off summer league in July. That’ll be the first real look at the new mix. But the real story won’t start until Butler steps back on the floor in the fall. He’s not interested in easing into anything.

“I’m still going to be a top player,” he said. That’s the plan, anyway. The Warriors are betting on it.