Gilbert Arenas says Jimmy Butler is not a real second option for the Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors got a brutal reality check about Jimmy Butler.

Jimmy Butler is expected to play a major role for the Golden State Warriors during the 2025-26 NBA season.

In fact, head coach Steve Kerr has praised Butler for solving a problem that the Dubs have been dealing with for a decade – how to play well without Stephen Curry.

Despite Kerr’s thoughts, former NBA player Gilbert Arenas thinks Butler is not a real second-option star for the Warriors.

Gilbert Arenas explains why Jimmy Butler’s playing style is not good for a second option star

During his tenure with the Miami Heat, Butler was the number one option on most nights. On the Warriors, the entire offense runs through Curry.

Even then, Butler is extremely happy with the Warriors. But Arenas thinks Jimmy’s playing style doesn’t make him an elite second option behind Steph.

“How Steph plays is going to keep them relevant. But he needs another guy to help him move. Jimmy Butler plays team basketball; he’s a team basketball guy.

“There’s no defined second option for that team,” Arenas said on The Arena.

He added: “[Jonathan] Kuminga and Buddy Hield haven’t stepped up and said, ‘I’m going to be taking those 18 shots and I’m going to be that second guy,’ right now they don’t have that yet.

“It’s Steph playing Steph, and then the guys playing very great basketball.”

While Butler has shown signs of dominance in the preseason, it will be interesting to see if he abandons his playing style and becomes a bit more selfish on the court.

Golden State Warriors need another Klay Thompson, says Gilbert Arenas

For years, Klay Thompson was the designated second option behind Curry, and it helped the Dubs win multiple NBA Championships.

Arenas urged the current Warriors players to study Klay’s game and become more like him to truly help Curry.

“They don’t have the Klay. They don’t have a guy who says he’s a number two. Unless Kuminga can turn into that,” Arenas continued.

Arenas had one final thought about Butler, stating: “Your second option [Butler] is averaging 18. That’s not a second option. He’s going to play good basketball; you need him as your third.”

To make things worse, let’s not forget that the Warriors have the oldest starting five in the NBA. All things considered, the Warriors may be heading into a disastrous campaign.

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