Warriors struggling in the wake of injuries to Butler, Kuminga

DNHQ After Dark: I definitely miss Klay after Warriors lose to their ex-teammate's new squad.

What are the odds that this season would take a wild turn as the basketball gods ripped away Jimmy Butler’s ACL in front of the Miami Heat, the team that the Golden State Warriors liberated him from?

And furthermore, what are the chances that would happen sandwiched between the Warriors giving a tribute to Andrew Wiggins that night, before going to see their ex-teammate and brother for life Klay Thompson with the Dallas Maverick? Seeing Klay smiling and hugging Steph Curry and Draymond Green after the Dubs lost damn near brought a tear to my eye.

The Dubs stood by Klay during his return from Achilles and ACL surgeries, vindicated by winning the title with him in 2022. But his departure two years ago was a cold slap of reality that loyalty and good vibes are a tenuous, ephemeral thing that can evaporate in the blink of an eye.

And for all Wiggins did to help resurrect the franchise to championship glory on that ‘22 team, after Golden State resurrected his career when they traded for him, he still ended up shipped out for Butler last February.

As a director by day at my place of work, I’ve known and been friends with many employees that were let go by the org. The hardest part is saying goodbye to someone you were in the trenches with, coupled with the responsibility on me to competently and inspirationally message “what comes next”.

This can all be very exhausting. I’m sure you all know what it’s like in some capacity to be very fond of someone and have them be distant from you after a long period of togetherness. The older I get, the more I’m learning to somberly hold sacred the time that we share together in our relationships. Sometimes you don’t get to repair wrongs done. Sometimes, you shouldn’t, and that’s where discernment comes in. Under all the emotions and memories, the question remains: is this a good fit for me right now? Is this a good fit for the team right now? Are we truly aligned?

But I digress. Butler’s injury and Jonathan Kuminga’s up-and-down place on this team has cast a pall on this season that makes me wonder if Coach Steve Kerr even wants to keep trying to shuffle his deck of cards around Curry and Draymond Green going forward.

Dub Nation, we know this is Coach Steve Kerr’s final year of his contract. He’s the best coach in Warriors franchise history, and a man I owe a sincere debt of gratitude as a fanatic. His leadership, fire, and humility have helped define a dynasty. I just wonder where his mind is at now. In one week he saw Butler, Wiggins, Klay, and Kuminga’s story arcs continue, all of them unable to help Curry due to either injury or by wearing an enemy jersey.

Does Kerr still believe he’s aligned to what comes next? Do you?