Jimmy Butler still feels guilty about the torn ACL that ended his 2025-26 season prematurely and contributed to the Golden State Warriors' campaign going downhill in the final months.
The Warriors went 12-26 - and ultimately missed the playoffs - after Butler suffered his season-ending knee injury in January.
"I really felt like I let Steph (Curry) down," Butler told ESPN's Anthony Slater. "I let Draymond (Green) down. I let Steve (Kerr) down. Because they took a chance. If you don't know me and you haven't been around me, you don't know what I'm about because of the things that you may read and hear.
"But they said, 'F--k all of that shit. This motherf---er knows how to win.' They took a chance, and I felt I let them down."
Golden State acquired Butler from the Miami Heat in February 2025 as part of a five-team deal and subsequently signed him to a two-year, $121-million contract extension.
Butler was off to a solid start in his first full campaign in the Bay Area, averaging 20 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.4 steals across 38 appearances last season.
The Warriors also had a plus-11.3 net rating when Butler was on the floor.
Butler could be back sometime between January and February, according to Slater.
As the 37-year-old nears the end of his career, he's motivated to win a title for himself and help Curry, Green, and Kerr add another championship to their resume.
"I just want to help those guys win another (title), man," Butler said. "And get me one. I felt I let them down. Now, as I'm going through this rehab process, as I'm starting to move and run and jump, I'm like, 'oh shit, I could still do it.' And that's why I say y'all motherf---ers going to be real shocked if y'all think I'm going to come back and be some bum ass player."
