But as other teams fell away, or simply lacked the assets or desire, the Warriors emerged as Butler’s only serious option, and a deal was struck.

This came after the Warriors were linked with former player Kevin Durant, but he was not interested in a return, prompting some awkward conversations back in Phoenix.

Warriors wanted Jimmy Butler

Golden State Warriors executive vice president Kirk Lacob has been speaking about the team’s acquisition of Jimmy Butler.

The former Miami Heat star was a player the Warriors were determined to sign, and Lacob has insisted that their interest is long standing. There had been suggestions the Warriors had doubts over Butler.

Lacob told 95.7: “The great news about what’s going on in the media is it’s not always right. There’s stuff out there all the time, you just kind of let it be.

“Jimmy is someone we have been focused on for a long time. We’re really, really, excited about [him]. He’s an absolute killer.

“That’s the word I would use to describe him. He’s a killer, somebody who I’ve respected for a long time, all the way back.”

Lacob admired Butler for years

On a personal level, Kirk Lacob backed up his comments by explaining he recalls speaking to Jimmy Butler at the 2011 NBA Draft.

He explained how Butler left a real impression on him, and he has been closely following his career ever since.

Lacob said: “I’ve really loved since his draft interview back in the day. We interview him and it was one of the best draft interviews I’ve ever done.

“You walked away from that and went, ‘I don’t know how good this guys going to be, but he is definitely going to make it’. I’m going to root for him.

“To see how his career has gone, he’s such a winner, and he fits our culture so well and our style of play.”

Jimmy Butler went 30th in the NBA Draft to the Chicago Bulls. The Warriors had picked at number 11, taking Klay Thompson.

Now finally with the Warriors, Butler has been making a great early impression, showing he can combine well with Stephen Curry, and do some of the defensive work and spot-up shooting executed so well by Thompson during his long and successful spell with the team.