While the Golden State Warriors’ trade for Jimmy Butler has been public knowledge for close to 24 hours now, it’s not officially on the books as far as the league is concerned. It’s all thanks to a comedically old school reason: tied-up phone lines.
While the modern NBA fan finds out about trades through social media, the league office finds out through conference calls. TNT reporter Jared Greenberg reported ahead of the Warriors’ Thursday game against the Lakers that, because of the number of teams trying to complete their official trade calls with the league, the Dubs have essentially been on hold as they wait their turn to tell the NBA of their blockbuster move.