The arrival of Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors continues to generate headlines, and now an NBA legend has made an eye-opening comparison to Klay Thompson.

Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after making a three-point shot against the Utah Jazz during first half at Chase Center on April 07, 2024.
© Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ImagesKlay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after making a three-point shot against the Utah Jazz during first half at Chase Center on April 07, 2024.

Despite the team’s recent inconsistency, there’s no denying that the Golden State Warriors have looked stronger since Jimmy Butler joined the roster.

The small forward has elevated the performance of those around him and put the team back in position to contend for another title. That surge prompted a bold comparison from an NBA legend, placing Butler ahead of Klay Thompson.

“When they won a couple of years ago, it was Klay, Draymond, and Curry. They were always the catalyst,” said Paul Pierce during a recent episode of the Ticket and The Truth podcast with Kevin Garnett. “You gotta understand that the team won a chip just a couple of years ago.”

The 2008 NBA champion with the Boston Celtics continued. “But then you injected Jimmy Butler instead of Klay. And it’s just bringing a whole another element,” said Paul.

 “That team won a chip. Now you’ve upgraded from that team with Butler. Because as great as Klay is, Butler is an upgrade because of the way he go about he getting his.”

Later, reflecting on Golden State’s potential with this new team dynamic, Pierce didn’t hold back. “That’s scary,” he said. “They’re dangerous. They’re throwing a wrench in all of this.”

Jimmy Butler smiling

Jimmy Butler #10 warms up prior to his debut with the Golden State Warriors against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on February 08, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.

Garnett also praises Butler

In the same conversation, another Celtics legend, Kevin Garnett, also praised the impact Butler is having on the Warriors. “You don’t want to see Golden State right now,” the former center said. “Jimmy is not only getting them to the free throw line, but he got a nice balance.”

However, KG also raised concerns about one specific area of Steve Kerr’s squad: “Sometimes, when I watch them, I think they’re too small, but the way they play…” Paul Pierce quickly jumped in.

 “Think about this. Draymond can guard any five in the league,” he said. “Not any five, but most fives,” Garnett replied. “OK, 99% of them,” Pierce conceded.

The Warriors are struggling to secure a playoff spot

With the Warriors’ significant improvement since Jimmy Butler’s arrival, many expected them to cruise into a playoff spot. However, their recent inconsistency — with four losses in their last ten games — has complicated things.

After an unexpected loss Wednesday night to the San Antonio Spurs, Golden State now sits in seventh place in the Western Conference.

With just two games remaining, they have no room for error if they want to avoid the play-in tournament. First, they’ll need to beat the Portland Trail Blazers, then face a crucial NBA regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Clippers.