Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr lost two players just an hour before a game.
Preparing to face the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, both Dennis Schroder and Andrew Wiggins departed in a five-team trade that sees Jimmy Butler head to San Francisco.
Kerr would have a rotation of players in mind when he got to the arena in Salt Lake City.
However, those plans would have to be tossed as his front office was finalizing a deal with the Miami Heat that would send Butler to Golden State as both Wiggins and Schroder left the team.
The Heat will receive forwards Wiggins, Kyle Anderson and a top-10 protected 2025 first-round selection from Golden State as well as power forward PJ Tucker from the Utah Jazz in the multi-team deal, per ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania.
The Warriors and Butler have also agreed on a two-year, $112 million extension through the 2026-27 season.
While Golden State will welcome the arrival of a superstar, having the news that two key players are departing make its way to the bench via a fan an hour before tip-off can cause massive uncertainty.
This is something Kerr recognised in his post-game interview as he called for a rule change after their 131-128 loss to the Jazz.
“I think the league should consider making the trade deadline at the All-Star break,” Kerr said after losing players while in the arena.
