Eight months on from surgery on his right knee, Jimmy Butler is not talking like a player hedging his bets.

“I promise you I’m coming back and it’s going to be … I think it’s going to be really eye-popping for everybody how I’m still going to be nice. Probably nicer, honestly,” Butler told reporters at Chase Center on Monday, according to Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area.

He spoke on Media Day, before the team flew to Oahu for training camp with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Warriors and Clippers are working out of BYU-Hawaii through 3 October and meet in a Honolulu preseason game on Sunday, 4 October.

What the doctors will actually let him do

Butler is cleared for light on-court drills, shooting, dribbling and passing while running at around three-quarter speed, but has not been given a return date.

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“I can dunk a basketball, in case anybody wants to know. I’m very excited about that,” Butler said.

“It’s still a process, but at least I get to play basketball a little bit now.”

A typical ACL recovery of about 12 months would put Butler’s return somewhere in the January-to-February range of 2027, though the Warriors have not attached a firm date.

Hurt in January, operated on in February

Butler was hurt on 19 January against the Miami Heat, going down after a collision with Davion Mitchell in the third quarter. His knee buckled on landing and he had to be helped off the floor by Gary Payton II and Buddy Hield.

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He underwent surgery to repair the torn ACL on 10 February in Los Angeles, performed by Dr. Bert Mandelbaum.

Before the injury Butler averaged 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 31.1 minutes across his 38 games with the Warriors.

‘Robin to Steph’s Batman’

Butler was blunt about what he wants his role to look like once he is back.

“I want to go out there and compete with my guys, with Dray, be Robin again to Steph’s Batman,” he said, referring to Draymond Green and Stephen Curry.

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His return is central to Golden State’s plans for the 2026-27 season. The Warriors’ regular-season opener is scheduled for later in October, and Butler is not expected to be available for it.

Sources: – [Jimmy Butler undergoes right knee surgery to repair ACL – NBA.com](https://www.nba.com/news/warriors-star-jimmy-butler-undergoes-right-knee-surgery-to-repair-acl) – [Warriors star Jimmy Butler promises ‘eye-popping’ return – NBC Sports Bay Area](https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/jimmy-butler-promise-acl-return/1967122/)

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