Things in the Golden State Warriors locker room were unsettling ahead of their Wednesday clash. It was evident something was about to happen, perhaps a big trade was on its way. But who was leaving the team? Head coach Steve Kerr seemed tongue-tied, the staff wouldn’t say a word, and the players looked restless. Even Stephen Curry didn’t seem like his usual self. What was truly going on?
Tim Kawakami, Anthony Slater, and Marcus Thompson might have the answers to the curious questions. It was right ahead of the Warriors game vs. the Utah Jazz when these reporters noted the odd nature of the team. They are never so much ‘on the edge’ as they seemed to be. One of them noted: “It was wild. I think my first two clues, well, it was definitely a different mood in there.” Yes, the sudden shift in the air was a hint.
But well, who knew they were about to announce Jimmy Butler?
Stephen Curry & team’s shift hinted at a large move ahead of the Utah Jazz game
The NBA insiders narrate that noticed Stephen Curry walking out of the locker room for his usual workout session. That seemed normal, except the atmosphere wasn’t. However, Curry returned to the locker room. Wait, that’s most unlikely to happen! “That’s different. I don’t normally see that,” Tim Kawakami noted. At the same time, Steve Kerr goes to the weight room and starts gathering everyone. The 59-year-old head coach seemed in an intense mood, to say the least.
The insider continues: “Some people are going over to Wiggins. Wiggins is in the corner, keeping himself. There was definitely a sense that something was going on, and then Kerr straightened up and started to say, ‘Hey, everyone, we’re going to do something here.’” Soon the locker room doors were about to close, despite being in the open period as the HC was about to address the team.
This was the moment of realization for everyone present. “It was going to be something relatively large. It was going to be multiple players ‘traded’. That’s what I kind of knew at that moment,” the reporter noted. However, Andrew Wiggins was on the court warming up, despite looking unsettled. Rumors were going on about him being traded away for potentially Kevin Durant or Butler. Meanwhile, Curry’s HC grabs Lindy Waters. The entire Warriors front office seemed to be present in the locker at the moment. But the biggest turn of events of Wiggins not wearing the Warriors jersey.
Dec 23, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks on against the Indiana Pacers in the second quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
“As I get there, the first thing I noticed, was no jersey for Andrew Wiggins,” the reporters explained. “And then he goes into the Steve Kerr goes into the weight room. By the way, this whole time, Tim, I’m sure you can attest, Steve Kerr is, like, distraught,” Slater added. But, how distraught was the head coach? “You can tell he’s, like, teary-eyed almost,” the insider stated. And he grabbed Kyle Anderson off the weights and gestured, that said he was telling Kyle Anderson that he got traded. At that point, everybody knew what was going on.
Soon, the team announced that they traded Andrew Wiggins, Kyle Anderson, and a protected first-pick to the Miami Heat for Jimmy Butler. Simply put Butler will pair up with Stephen Curry on the court until 2027. The 35-year-old power forward has signed a two-year extension, $121 million deal with the Golden State Warriors.
Speaking of Curry, the Warriors superhero also had a strange reaction amidst the intense pre-game situation in Utah on Wednesday.
How did Steph Curry react to everything that was going on in the Dubs locker room?
To begin with, Andrew Wiggins and Kyle Anderson had their last workout session with Stephen Curry on Wednesday. “That was it. That was the last Warrior to go warm up with Steph,” the insiders noted. Interestingly, the weirdness of the situation was palpable because they got to know that the team did not have any pregame routine set for the day.
“It was wild. Yeah, then Steph goes back out after all that, and the stony face comes back out. Something had gone down emotionally, and then he tried to go through his routine. The weird part was there was no one else after him,” the reporters stated. It was probably an emotional moment for the head coach and his brightest superstar. Maybe they didn’t see this coming or maybe they did but weren’t prepared for the sudden goodbye. Yes, it was sudden, because well, the trade deadline ends on Thursday and the deal’s news dropped on Wednesday.
Feb 3, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) holds onto the ball between plays against the Orlando Magic during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
Well, that was intense, right? It doesn’t look like the Warriors locker room was ready for the big news. However, goodbyes were said and with supposed teary eyes Steve Kerr bid his farewell to Wiggs and Anderson. And just moments ago, when Stephen Curry was working out with them, did he imagine such a moment would come? Maybe yes, or maybe no, who knows?
The post “Steve Kerr Is Like Distraught”: National Reporter Give Intense Details of Stephen Curry & Co’s Reaction to Jimmy Butler News appeared first on EssentiallySports.
