Jimmy Butler Optimistis Pulih dari Cedera ACL dan Ingin Pensiun di Warriors

Bintang Golden State Warriors, Jimmy Butler, memberikan kabar positif mengenai proses pemulihan cedera robek ACL yang dialaminya musim lalu. Dalam acara pengenalan sponsor jersey baru tim pada Kamis, 25 Juni 2026, pemain berusia 36 tahun itu mengungkapkan perkembangan yang menggembirakan.

Butler mengalami cedera lutut parah pada 19 Januari lalu saat bertanding melawan mantan timnya, Miami Heat, yang memaksanya absen hingga akhir musim. Meski demikian, ia yakin bisa kembali ke performa terbaiknya.

General Manager Warriors Mike Dunleavy Jr. menyatakan bahwa manajemen belum memiliki jadwal pasti kepulangan Butler, tetapi tetap optimistis. "I do think when Jimmy returns, depending on his load that he can carry the amount of minutes, I do think he'll be a very good player based on the way he plays," ujarnya kepada NBC Sports Bay Area.

Dunleavy menambahkan bahwa usia senior Butler justru membantu adaptasi dengan kondisi fisiknya saat ini. "The two best things about him are his mind and his physicality, and you don't lose that with a hurt knee," katanya.

Sebelum cedera, Butler menorehkan rata-rata 20,0 poin, 5,6 rebound, dan 4,9 assist per pertandingan. Warriors berkomitmen menunggu pemulihannya selesai sepenuhnya. "He's adjusted well as he's aged already on the athleticism front, and I think that'll be no different," tutur Dunleavy.

Di sisi lain, Al Horford dipastikan kembali membela Warriors musim depan setelah menyepakati kontrak dua tahun senilai 14 juta dolar AS. "If the group is healthy, if we're together, I feel like we're going to compete," kata Horford.

Kembalinya Horford dan pemulihan Butler menjadi angin segar bagi stabilitas skuad yang sempat terpuruk akibat cedera musim lalu. "I don't want to think too much ahead, but once we're able to get Jimmy and [Moses Moody] back ... we have a very competitive group and we're going to do the best that we can," ujar Horford.

Meskipun kontrak Butler senilai 56,8 juta dolar AS sering memicu rumor perdagangan, ia menegaskan komitmennya bertahan di Bay Area hingga pensiun. "If we're healthy, we're tough," katanya mengenai peta persaingan tim. Ia juga optimistis dengan komposisi pemain yang dipimpin Stephen Curry. "We've just got to be healthy. … As long as we've got Steph, we always have a chance," ucap Butler.

Dalam wawancara dengan Anthony Slater dari ESPN, Butler menegaskan keyakinannya tetap menjadi pemain papan atas setelah pulih. "I'm right back to who I've always been," tuturnya. Ia siap mengerahkan kemampuan terbaik demi membawa Warriors meraih kejayaan. "Probably better if we was to really talk about it. I know I'm still going to be a top player whenever I get back. I have a couple good years left in me, and we're going to ride it until the wheels fall off," ucapnya.

Butler menutup dengan keinginan kuat mengakhiri karier di Golden State Warriors. "End is a bad word, but this is where I want to be done," katanya. Fasilitas organisasi yang luar biasa dan kesempatan bermain bersama salah satu pemain terbaik sejarah menjadi alasan utamanya. "Retire here. This organization is top-tier. It's the best. Keep it a buck. It's the best. You're playing with one of the greatest players ever. I'm grateful to be able to witness this. I want to be able to do my part, get this organization back on top where we belong," ujar Butler.