The Golden State Warriors are 4-1 since acquiring Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline.

They’ve looked drastically improved on both sides of the floor. Their intensity on defense has been a welcomed addition after months of stagnation and struggle.

In recent games, Steve Kerr has used an undersized lineup of Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody and Draymond Green. The versatility of that lineup and style of play have been notable.

Speaking to the media following the Warriors’ 132-108 win over the Sacramento Kings, Kerr admitted that he plans to keep the current lineup for the foreseeable future.

“I imagine we will stay with this lineup,” Kerr told reporters. “I hope so. Because we’ve had a million different starting lineups this year. It’d be really nice to stick with this for the rest of the season and keep building continuity with our lineups.”

Podziemski, Butler and Green are all tenacious defenders. They have enough size and strength to guard multiple positions, and they thrive when working at the point of attack.

They give Golden State a defensive spine to rely on. Importantly, they also allow the Warriors to play at a high tempo without trading away playmaking or scoring.

Golden State has clawed its way back into the playoff picture. Kerr’s team currently sits ninth in the Western Conference, just 2.5 games behind the LA Clippers in the sixth seed.

With a new-found intensity, offensive fluidity, and Butler’s two-way presence, there’s a legitimate chance the Warriors could avoid the play-in tournament and automatically qualify for the playoffs.

Yes, Kerr’s new lineup lacks size. But the fight in the dog is there for all to see. If Jonathan Kuminga can make the most of a bench role and the roster remains healthy, the Butler trade could pay immediate dividends in the form of a potentially deep postseason run.