Even before seeing the results, the Warriors believed in Butler, and that's why they signed him to a lucrative two-year, $121 million contract extension that runs through the 2026-27 season. For better or worse, the Warriors are tied down to Butler, and he could be what makes or breaks the final years of the Stephen Curry era.

During shootarounds on the eve of his Golden State Warriors ' Game 1 at the Target Center, Butler voiced his side of his return after a 1,259-day absence in Minnesota. "I don't got no problems with Minnesota," Butler said on a video captured by the Minnesota Star Tribune, which was followed by several comments.