Heat’s Butler ruled out for Game 2 due to ankle

The Golden State Warriors continue to hang around the playoff picture in the Western Conference and have reemerged in the trade market this week. The Warriors picked up a big win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday with Andrew Wiggins, Gary Payton II and Kevon Looney playing well. If the Warriors were to make a major trade, some combination of those players would almost certainly be sent out in a deal.

“This is not really a replicable situation and that’s one of the reasons why you keep hearing the Warriors’ names in trade talks,” said Brian Windhorst on NBA Today on Thursday. “And I know a couple of weeks ago Steph Curry said ‘We don’t need to do anything desperate’ and all of a sudden they were out. I’m telling you, in the last few days, I hear the Warriors are dipping their toes back in the trade market to make a significant move. And just not necessarily for some of the name you’ve heard in the past.”

A report from The Athletic on Wednesday indicated that the Warriors were engaging on both Zach LaVine and Jimmy Butler. Golden State’s key stakeholders are believed to prefer LaVine over Butler for a number of factors.