Jimmy Butler’s Suspension: Heat Sideline Star for 7 Games Over Team Conduct Issues

MIAMI (AP) — For five years, Jimmy Butler stood as Miami’s premier player, guiding a squad that reached the NBA Finals on two occasions during his time. He boasted confidently and, at certain moments, performed even more impressively. He expressed admiration for the city, for the organization, and for the celebrated “Heat Culture.”

However, he also missed numerous games, appeared discontented at times, and subsequently, he did not receive a $113 million extension that he was eligible for last summer.

And now, a separation seems imminent.

Just a day after Butler declared that he doesn’t foresee finding joy in playing in Miami moving forward, he was suspended by the Heat for seven games, with the team indicating it will entertain trade proposals — a clear indication that they do not anticipate him sporting their uniform again.

“We have suspended Jimmy Butler for seven games due to several occurrences of conduct detrimental to the team throughout the season and particularly in recent weeks,” the franchise stated in a release on Friday evening. “Through his behavior and remarks, he has indicated he no longer wishes to be associated with this team.”

During the suspension, Butler will forfeit approximately $336,543 per game, totaling around $2,355,798 overall. He retains the option to file an appeal, which could potentially reduce the financial penalty.

The National Basketball Players Association announced its intention to submit a grievance, labeling the seven-game suspension as “excessive and unwarranted.”

Unless the suspension is altered upon appeal, Butler will be absent from the squad for their home game on Saturday against Utah and for the entirety of a six-game away series, including matches against Sacramento, Golden State, Utah, Portland, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Los Angeles Lakers.

In theory, the earliest Butler could play for the Heat again is January 17 at home against Denver. However, he has likely participated in his final game for Miami.

“Jimmy Butler and his agent have conveyed their desire to be traded; as such, we will consider offers,” the Heat stated.

Butler’s representative, Bernie Lee, did not respond promptly to a request for comment.

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The team’s assertion that it’s open to trading the six-time All-Star marks a stark contrast from just a week prior when Heat President Pat Riley claimed the franchise would not part ways with Butler.

That was then. Presently, the dynamic between Butler and the Heat — a topic of conversation for weeks — seems to have exceeded the breaking point.

On Thursday night, the Heat suffered a defeat to Indiana with a score of 128-115, where Butler scored precisely nine points and missed the entire fourth quarter for the second consecutive game. This also occurred on Wednesday during a victory over New Orleans.

“What do I want to witness occur? I want to rediscover my joy in playing basketball, wherever that may be — we’ll find out shortly,” Butler mentioned after Thursday’s contest. “I aim to regain my joy. I’m content here, off the court, but I wish to return to being dominant. I want to play and assist this team in winning. At present, I’m not accomplishing that.”

He was then queried whether he could discover that joy in Miami. “Probably not,” Butler replied, leading to the conclusion of his postgame press conference.

Most likely, so did his time with the Heat.

“The player who impacts our team the most is Jimmy,” Riley stated in May after the conclusion of the previous season. “Jimmy has the greatest impact. He’s an extraordinary talent.”

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Butler left an impression in Miami throughout his 5 1/2 seasons — ranking eighth in the franchise’s history for points, assists, and steals, all achieved in just 313 games. In playoff scenarios, he excelled: There have been 18 occasions in team postseason history where a player scored 40 or more points, and Butler accounted for eight of those, including a record-breaking 56-point game against Milwaukee during the 2023 playoffs.

The 35-year-old Butler qualified for an extension last summer. However, the Heat did not present one, and Riley voiced concerns about offering such a deal to any player who has missed a significant amount of games.

Since joining the team, Butler has missed about one out of every four games. He stated at media day this fall that he was confident his performance this season would lead to the extension decision being “resolved on its own.”

“I suppose I need to go out and play. … I have to demonstrate that I am essential to winning, as is rightfully expected. I’ve done it previously. This situation is no different,” Butler remarked at that time.

It didn’t transpire.

The unfortunate separation will not be a first for the Heat — LeBron James departed in 2014, Dwyane Wade left before ultimately returning, and Shaquille O’Neal was traded — and it will not be Butler’s first experience with such a situation, either.

There are similarities between the current events in Miami and the conclusion of Butler’s era in Minnesota.

In 2018, Butler was on the verge of potentially becoming a free agent (as he is now) and was dissatisfied with the Timberwolves (as he is now, just with a different team). He expressed in an interview with ESPN — following a notorious practice where he criticized teammates with both his performance and his comments — that he wanted to hear the Wolves affirming, “We need you. We desire you here. We cannot achieve this without you.”

His remarks from Tuesday in Miami hinted at the same sentiment, indicating he’s not experiencing the level of appreciation he desired from the Heat. “It’s nice to be discussed. Even better to be wanted, though. Keep that in mind,” Butler stated following a practice.

Eventually, Butler got his wish. Minnesota traded him to Philadelphia — and then he got his wish once more less than a year later, when he agreed to join the Heat via a sign-and-trade deal. He expressed his desire to be in Miami to complete his career.

Both parties benefited along the journey. Butler has earned close to $200 million in salaries during his 5 1/2 seasons with the Heat (with an additional $25 million still forthcoming this season), while the Heat enjoyed two runs to the NBA Finals.

It functioned. Until it didn’t.