Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob doesn’t hold back. When a frustrated fan emailed him directly after a heartbreaking 136-131 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, Lacob fired off a raw, unfiltered response that laid bare his own exasperation—and staunchly defended the team’s blockbuster acquisition of Jimmy Butler.
The exchange, which quickly surfaced online and was confirmed by the Warriors, came as Golden State sat at a disappointing 13-14 mark early in the 2025-26 season. Fans, spoiled by years of championship contention, are growing restless watching Stephen Curry carry the load night after night. One of them, Justin Dutari, took his complaints straight to the top.
In his email, Dutari pleaded for change, questioning why Curry has to shoulder so much scoring responsibility and criticizing the roster’s lack of a true second option and a legitimate center. He specifically called out Butler’s underutilization, noting how the star forward is often forced into mismatched roles due to the team’s small-ball lineups.
Lacob replied in just minutes: “You can’t be as frustrated as me. I am working on it. It’s complicated. Style of play. Coaches desires regarding players. League trends. Jimmy is not the problem.”
It’s a candid admission from a billionaire owner known for his hands-on approach—and a clear signal that the trade for Butler, completed earlier this year in a multi-team deal, remains a cornerstone of the franchise’s plan to extend its contention window around Curry.
The Warriors brought in Butler to lighten Curry’s burden, pairing the gritty veteran with the greatest shooter of all time. But inconsistencies, fluctuating lineups, and positional mismatches have fueled debates about fit. In the Portland loss, Butler shot just 3-of-11 from the field, though he salvaged the night with 10-of-11 free throws, seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Postgame, coach Steve Kerr shouldered blame for the team’s uneven play, admitting he needs to better integrate Butler into the offense: “I got to find a way to get him more into the groove of the game. Eleven shots.”
As pressure mounts on the 13-14 Warriors to right the ship, Lacob’s email underscores one thing: ownership stands firmly behind Butler. With Curry still elite, adjustments underway, and a clear vote of confidence from the top, Golden State is betting big that its pursuit of Jimmy will pay off before the season slips away.