Since joining the Golden State Warriors on February 8, 2025, Jimmy Butler III has wasted no time making his presence felt.

In just over a month, the Warriors have gone 13-2, the second-best record in the NBA during that span, including a six-game winning streak leading into their matchup against the New York Knicks on Saturday.

Before Butler’s arrival, Golden State struggled when its stars weren’t on the floor. The Warriors were outscored by 90 points without Stephen Curry and by 98 when Draymond Green was off the court. But since Butler’s debut, those numbers have flipped—the team is now +33 without Curry and +39 without Green showcasing his immediate impact on both ends of the floor.

This isn’t the first time Butler has provided an instant boost. His adaptability and leadership have made him a game-changer from day one at every stop in his career. Let’s take a look at how he made his mark in his first month with each of his previous teams.

Chicago Bulls (2011-12 Season)

Drafted 30th overall in 2011, Butler entered the league in a lockout-shortened season and saw limited playing time off the bench. He averaged 2.7 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in his first month.

Despite Butler’s modest stats, the Derrick Rose-led Bulls started strong, going 11-4 in Butler’s first 15 games. Chicago finished the season 50-16, earning the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the second straight year.

Minnesota Timberwolves (2017-18 Season)

In June 2017, Butler was traded to Minnesota, reuniting with former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau and joining young stars Andrew Wiggins and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Butler made his Timberwolves debut on October 18, 2017, and quickly became the team’s leader, averaging 16.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in his first month. Minnesota went 10-5 during that stretch, setting the tone for their best season in over a decade.

With Butler leading the way, the Timberwolves finished 47-35, snapping their 13-year playoff drought, which was the longest in the NBA at the time.

Philadelphia 76ers (2018-19 Season)

On November 12, 2018, Butler was traded to Philadelphia and made his debut two days later.

In his first month with the 76ers, he averaged 18.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, helping Philadelphia to an 11-4 record in that span.

One of Butler’s standout performances came on November 25 against the Brooklyn Nets, when he erupted for 34 points and 12 rebounds, sealing a 127-125 victory with a clutch game-winning three-pointer with just 2.3 seconds left.

The Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons-led 76ers went on to finish 51-31, securing the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Miami Heat (2019-20 Season)

Butler signed with Miami on July 6, 2019, and made an immediate impact. In his first 15 games, he averaged 18.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.3 assists, helping the Heat start 12-3.

His leadership and gritty play helped shape the Heat’s identity, ultimately leading them to the NBA Finals in the 2020 Bubble Season, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A History of Quick Impact

Wherever Butler has gone, his toughness, leadership, and two-way play have turned teams around almost instantly. Now, with the Warriors surging, he’s proving once again that his presence alone can change a team’s fortunes.

As Golden State continues its playoff push, Butler’s first-month magic may be just the beginning of another deep postseason run.

The Washington Wizards are heading into one of their most crucial offseasons in recent memory as they continue their rebuild from the ground up.

However, their recent winning streak could jeopardize their long-term future.

Lack of a True Franchise Cornerstone

At the heart of the Wizards’ struggles is the absence of a true franchise player to build around.

Last year, they selected Alex Sarr with the No. 2 overall pick, hoping he would become a key piece for the future.

Unfortunately, Sarr has yet to meet expectations, struggling in Summer League and failing to capitalize on his strengths during his rookie season.

While it’s too early to completely write him off, there are growing concerns that Washington may have drafted a role player rather than a star.

Despite this, the basketball gods have seemingly given Washington another chance. They currently hold the worst record in the NBA, putting them in prime position to land the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft.

However, if they aren’t careful, they could lose their grip on the top selection.

Winning at the Wrong Time

While winning is always enjoyable, the Wizards are picking the worst possible time to go on a hot streak.

They’ve gone 5-5 in their last 10 games, including wins against the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons two teams also in contention for the top pick.

With highly-touted prospects like Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey available, and the possibility of Cooper Flagg declaring, securing the No. 1 pick should be Washington’s priority.

However, their recent victories have tightened the race for the league’s worst record.

The Utah Jazz, now just half a game behind Washington, could leapfrog them in the standings.

If Utah were to land the top pick, the prospect of playing for Danny Ainge a Boston Celtics legend and respected executive might entice Flagg to declare, potentially costing Washington a generational talent.

A Chance to Correct Course

As the regular season winds down, the Wizards must decide whether they are truly committed to the rebuild.

Winning meaningless games now could derail their entire offseason strategy before it even begins.

They have a chance to get back on track with an upcoming game against the Denver Nuggets a team that will likely expose their flaws. If Washington is serious about its future, they must prioritize draft positioning over short-term success.

The Denver Nuggets secured a crucial road victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday night in a high-stakes battle featuring two of the NBA’s top MVP contenders.

Nikola Jokic once again showcased his dominance, delivering an effortless yet staggering 35-point, 18-rebound, and eight-assist performance to outduel Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Following the game, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone didn’t hold back in making his case for Jokic in the MVP conversation.

“If you didn’t know that Nikola won three MVPs and I put Player A and Player B on paper, and you had no idea that the guy that’s averaging a triple-double, the guy who’s top-three in the three major statistical categories things that no one’s ever done he wins the MVP 10 times out of 10,” Malone said.

Then, with added emphasis, he continued: “And if you don’t think so, then I think you guys are all full of s—.”

Despite Jokic’s brilliance, Gilgeous-Alexander remains the frontrunner for this year’s MVP award.

However, Malone was quick to praise the Thunder star, acknowledging his greatness while also standing firmly behind his own player.

With a significant portion of the season still to play, Jokic and the Nuggets have a chance to maintain their momentum.

If they continue their red-hot form, voters may reconsider and ultimately decide that the Serbian big man deserves a fourth MVP instead of crowning a new face.