By: Matt Anderson

Last night's news was devastating: Jimmy Butler, out for the year with a torn ACL. The Warriors were just starting to round into the team we thought they could be, and there was promise of some reinforcements coming via a Jonathan Kuminga trade. Longer term, the franchise could keep a firm grip on the tail end of the dynasty built by Curry, Draymond Green, and Coach Steve Kerr with Curry, Butler, and Green all under contract for next year. One could easily see a handful of offseason moves, and a bit of luck, keeping that title window open for the last year of Curry and Butler's respective contracts.

Now the Dubs will go into next year with their second most expensive player being on the wrong side of 35, rehabbing a significant knee injury. If history is any indication, he may not even suit up until halfway through next year. It would likely take another month or two after that for him to even get close to the Jimmy we've seen this last month.

On days like today, it's really hard to be the fan of a team. There does not seem to be anywhere for the Warriors to go. They have won too many games and owe Steph too much to throw in the towel on this season. And next season is even more up in the air. Couple that with the fact that JK has practically no trade value anymore, and things are bleak. So, how do we, as Warriors fans, find something to latch onto? As the host of this podcast used to say often: bad things happen, and the Warriors always seemed to spin them into good results (e.g., getting our hearts ripped out in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals led us to signing Kevin Durant).

One potential positive that can come from this: Jonathan Kuminga restores his value. The Warriors need to part ways with the fourth-year swing. But right now, the only team that has any interest is the Sacramento Kings. That should tell you right there what the rest of the NBA thinks about him: the franchise with the worst talent evaluation record is the only one that wants him.

But the Warriors now desperately need a 3 who can score. We all know that JK does not (or even refuses) to do the little things that small forwards must do to work in Steve Kerr's system. But, if this team is going to keep on any semblance of the momentum it's had for the last 16 games, it needs offense. And there really is not anyone else on the bench that can provide anywhere close to the points Kuminga can (see, 2025 playoffs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves). If JK can put aside the vitriol that has understandably built up the last few months, he can show the league that he's actually a player all teams, not just the most inept, would want.

Now, it takes two to tango. Kerr is going to have to give Kuminga the leash he needs to feel comfortable. The coach may even need to rework the system, particularly in the non-Steph minutes. But, there are plenty of line-up options that could surround JK with the space/shooters that would allow for a more spread pick-and-roll offense than we usually run. The added benefit of making that shift: this is what pretty much every other team runs. So, showcasing Kuminga in the slasher role would undoubtedly up his value. And maybe bumping his value up over the next two weeks will be enough to get a trade for a useful piece across the finish line.

There is one other silver lining Warriors fans could look at, if they want to be truly ruthless and cynical. Jimmy's contract becomes an expiring next year. If, over the summer, a team with an unhappy super star decides to tear it all down, then Butler's $56 million is an easy place for the Warriors to start. The receiving team will be getting an aging start who might miss up to half the year. That would certainly help any tanking situation. But, trading a key guy while he is hurt really puts a black mark on your front office. Just look at Danny Ainge when he was in Boston. So, I would urge everyone to be cautious in taking that approach.