Jimmy Butler intends to return to the basketball court soon. Just not an NBA one. While Butler’s return date has not been confirmed yet, the star forward is steadfast in playing at least one game for the Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State’s G League affiliate.
“It may not be for long, but I’m going to play in Santa Cruz,” Butler told The Athletic’s Nick Friedell. “I’m playing in a f–king game.”
Numerous NBA All-Stars have spent time practicing with G League teams while recovering from injuries, including Butler’s current teammate Steph Curry in 2020.
But no player of Butler’s caliber has played a game in the G League on a rehab assignment, despite his insistence that he will as he works his way back from an ACL tear sustained in January.
One person in the Warriors organization who supports Butler is coach Steve Kerr, comparing it to an MLB player getting a stint in the minor leagues.
“I think it makes such perfect sense,” Kerr told Friedell. “But most guys in the league in Jimmy’s position are, like, too vain to do it —...