Butler Could Return as Early as January? Limited to Individual Training During Camp, Moody Expected to Resume Running This Month

According to a September 9 Beijing Time report from Warriors reporter Slater, Jimmy Butler underwent right knee ACL reconstruction surgery six months ago and has made significant progress in his recovery. Slater revealed that Butler is gradually increasing his on-court training workload, but he still has a large amount of rehabilitation work to complete, so he is expected to be unable to fully participate in the new season's training camp.

Sources within the league indicated that when training camp begins in one month, Butler will only be able to take part in individual on-court workouts and strength training. He still needs more time before being cleared for full-team scrimmages. Slater said the optimistic timeline for Butler's return is January or February 2027.

Looking back, Butler suffered an ACL tear on January 20 this year and underwent surgery on February 10. If he returns on the expected timeline, he will have been away from NBA competition for nearly a full year. The Warriors' training camp is scheduled to take place from September 30 to October 4 in Oahu, Hawaii, and the team's first preseason game is set for October 5 against the Los Angeles Clippers. The regular-season opener will take place on October 22, with the Warriors visiting the Los Angeles Lakers.

ClutchPoints reporter Brett Siegel reported last month that Butler has a strong chance of returning before the February 12, 2027 trade deadline. Siegel mentioned that the earliest discussed return date was the December 26 matchup against the Nuggets, but that was only a theoretically possible target and does not mean it has been confirmed. Based on Slater's latest update, January or February next year may be a more realistic timeframe for Butler's return.

Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy previously confirmed that the team will be without at least Butler and Moses Moody at the start of the 2026-27 season. Moody underwent left knee surgery in March this year, and his goal is to resume running in September and restart on-court training.

During the 2025-26 season, Curry and Porzingis both missed extended periods due to injuries, and the team also faced the challenge of Butler and Moody suffering injuries late in the season. If Moody and Butler can both return in February next year, the Warriors will be able to more effectively evaluate before the trade deadline whether this healthy roster has the potential to improve the team's playoff contention chances.