Jimmy Butler’s Season-Ending Injury Creates New Fantasy Basketball Value in Golden State

There hasn't been a ton of season-ending injuries in the NBA yet this season. A big one just occurred in Golden State, so let's discuss things from real world and fantasy basketball perspectives.

Jimmy Butler III tore his right ACL in Monday's game against the Heat, his old team. He got hurt in the third quarter. Butler has been ruled out for the season.

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Butler's Stats and Outlook

Butler has appeared in 38 of the Warriors' 44 games so far this season.

He was averaging 20 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.2 blocks over 31.1 minutes a night. Butler shot 51.9% from the field and 37.6% from 3-point land.

Butler might not be in his prime anymore, but he was a big part of Golden State's team and makeup. He was second on the team in scoring, third in rebounds and assists and tied for the lead in steals. The Warriors are going to miss him dearly the rest of the way.

Butler is 36 years old right now, so this injury is one that could effectively end his career. By the time he'd be back on the court, he'd be at least 37. 

Dynasty/keeper owners with Butler on their teams will have to keep an eye on Butler's injury/recovery and see if he's planning on returning or not. It's possible he hangs it up after a very good 15-year career in the NBA.

Who will Step Up?

Butler is a leader, both on and off the court for the Warriors. No one player is going to be able to replace him - it will take a collection of players instead.

More will be put on the plate of Stephen Curry, who was already the team's top player. You can expect a rise in his scoring average, and maybe assists and rebounds too to help fill some of the production covered previously by Butler.

Brandin Podziemski is the third-leading scorer on the team, followed by Jonathan Kuminga, De'Anthony Melton and Moses Moody. You can expect those players to all take on more in Butler's absence. Even a slight bump in playing time will increase the fantasy outlooks for all of them.

Draymond Green, Quinten Post, Buddy Hield, Gary Payton II, Will Richard , Gui Santos, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Pat Spencer and Al Horford are others who could see their roles increase now, so it's worth watching the Warriors' box scores over the next several games to see who steps up.

Of course, the Warriors could also add a player through free agency, or trade for someone, to help fill the void left by Butler's injury. The team has been shopping Kuminga, but now might be forced to play him a lot again.

I'm really intrigued to see how Golden State approaches the injury. They are still hoping to compete as Curry ages, so they won't be packing things in. I think the move will force the team to get aggressive and add a high-end player here soon.

Fantasy Outlook

There are four Golden State players on the FantasySP waiver wire page today. Moody, Podziemski, Hield and Richard are the guys on the rise.

Moody is up 11.3% and is now rostered in 27.29% of leagues. He's already been starting for the Warriors, and now down Butler, he could play and produce a little more every game. 

He's already scored in double figures in four straight, so he's a good waiver wire pickup in my eyes, especially in deeper leagues - he could work into standard leagues eventually.

Podziemski has been added in 8.96% of leagues, bringing his overall mark to 71.22%. He's been coming off the bench, but playing a healthy amount each night - he's a starting option now down Butler.

Podz has scored 15 or more points in four straight games, and can add in several other stats every game too. That makes him a very solid fantasy asset, and someone worth possibly adding in standard  leagues - he should already be rostered in all deeper leagues (scoop him up now if he's available).

Hield is up 4.69%, while Richard has been added in 4.48% of leagues so far today. Hield sits at 12.79% owned, while Richard is rostered in 5.76% of leagues.

Hield hasn't played a ton of late, but logged 23 minutes in the game Butler got hurt in and was at 17 minutes the game before that. He's scored 30 points over those two contests.

At least for the time being, Hield could see an expanded role, so I like the idea of adding or streaming him in some deeper leagues. I don't see him getting to standard leagues ever though.

Richard has had a pretty steady role of late, but has started and logged 56 combined minutes over the past two contests. He has 16 points, nine rebounds, 12 assists, five steals and two blocks combined in those contests.

He would be on the rise a bit even if Butler didn't get hurt. Add in that fact and Richard should see a healthy increase in his own percentage over the next several days.

Like I mentioned before, everyone on the Warriors could benefit from Butler being out of the picture now. Fantasy owners should consider adding the four players I just discussed, but should also be keeping a close eye on the team's box scores for the next few games to see who steps up in Butler's absence.