Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat’s standout small forward, was suspended for seven games on Friday. The franchise also stated that it will consider trade offers.
In an X post, the Heat stated that Butler’s ban was due to his actions, which have harmed the team all season long.
Jimmy Butler has received a seven-game suspension for numerous acts that have harmed the team over the season, especially in the past few weeks,” the team announced.
A request for comment Friday night was not immediately answered by a Butler representative.
A day after Butler said he wanted to leave the team he led to two NBA Finals, he was suspended.
Butler claimed he was no longer enjoying playing in Miami on Thursday night.
I want to imagine myself playing basketball again and feeling happy. He informed reporters, “We’ll find out here pretty soon, wherever that may be.” Off the court, I’m content, but I want to get back to being a little more dominant. I want to hoop and help this team win, but I’m not doing that right now.
Butler responded, “Probably not,” when asked if he could rediscover his happiness while playing for the Heat.
Following the Heat’s 128-115 loss against the Indiana Pacers, in which Butler only scored nine points, the six-time all-star made these remarks. Additionally, he had only scored nine points against the New Orleans Pelicans the day before.
Butler “has indicated to the Miami Heat he wants the team to trade him,” according to a report by ESPN later Thursday, which quoted league sources. That reporting has not been independently confirmed by NBC News.
Erik Spoelstra, the coach of the Heat, has partially blamed Butler’s two-week illness absence for the team’s consecutive poor performances.
But the comments about finding joy come amid souring relations with team management that have fueled weeks of speculation.
ESPN revealed on Christmas Day that Butler would have preferred a trade before the deadline of February 6. In response, Heat president Pat Rileyissued a rare statementin which he said, We will make it clear — we are not trading Jimmy Butler.
But in apost Friday, the Heat said Butler “and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, therefore, we will listen to offers.”
“Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team,” the Miami Heat stated.
The Heat decided not to offer Butler a new contract before the 2024-25 season, when he was eligible for a two-year $113 million extension.
Butler missed the Heat s first-round playoff series last season due to a knee injury. Following the team’s loss to the Boston Celtics, Butler indicated on social media that the team would ve won the series had he been healthy.
If you re not on the court playing, you should keep your mouth shut, Riley said in response.
Butler has indicated he’s open to playing anywhere other than Miami next, ESPN reported sources.
The 35-year-old, known for his combative two-way style and clutch playoff scoring, is in the final year of a $49 million contract and can become a free agent in July.
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