Overview
- At the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Butler told longtime Miami Heat fan Coco Gauff that the team "hurt" him during a lighthearted on-camera exchange.
- He urged Gauff to switch her allegiance to the Warriors and pointed to Stephen Curry's appeal, but she declined and said she would remain a Heat supporter while wishing him well.
- Coverage recounts Butler's early-2025 departure from Miami following a prolonged fallout over a desired max extension, with reports noting suspensions and team concerns about age and injuries.
- After a trade to Golden State and a multi-year deal, Butler suffered a torn ACL on January 19, 2026 against the Heat and is rehabbing with expectations to return during the 2026–27 season, according to Newsweek.
- In separate remarks at Indian Wells, Butler joked about Curry's star power, saying fans now mostly chant for Steph and quipping he would pay to be Curry for a day.