In fairness to Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob, this was the farthest thing from a victory lap. He was standing still, for starters, playing the role of head cheerleader in the corner of the Toyota Center court where the players whose massive paychecks he covers were practically skipping back to the visitors’ locker room to celebrate their Game 7 finish over the Houston Rockets.

Joe Lacob didn’t hide his initial doubts about trading for Jimmy Butler, but Golden State’s owner now believes the veteran All-Star was worth every risk.

The Warriors faced the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2025 playoffs and won the series in seven games. Butler, who missed Game 3 after getting hurt in Game 2, averaged 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.3 blocks in the best-of-seven series. He only missed one game after suffering a pelvic contusion in Game 2.