"He's scared to play with Ja Morant" - NBA fans react to Jimmy Butler's reluctance to join Grizzlies amid Heat drama 

NBA fans are sharing their reactions online to Jimmy Butler not wanting to join the Memphis Grizzlies. The news comes from a report that Butler's desire to leave Miami extends to any team in the league other than Memphis.

According to a new report that came Thursday afternoon from Marc Spears, a senior NBA writer for ESPN, Jimmy Butler wishes to be traded from the Heat to any other team besides the Grizzlies. The news, which Spears shared on NBA Today, did not seem to come as much of a surprise to the panel.

NBA insider Chris Haynes, who has been following the Heat-Butler trade saga closely, reported similar information about Butler's lack of interest in being traded to Memphis earlier this month. No direct reason has been given, but that hasn't stopped fans from giving their thoughts on Butler's reluctance.

Numerous fans were perplexed by the news considering Butler's public desire to be traded to a competitive team. The Grizzlies are young, have a dynamic star, deep roster, and have already been consistently atop their conference in the past few seasons when healthy.

Some suggested that for one reason or another, Butler wouldn't be a good fit alongside the Grizzlies' star point guard, Ja Morant.

"He's scared to play with Ja," one fan wrote on X.

Whether that be an issue of on-court or off-court chemistry, multiple commentators questioned if a personal issue could be the reason for Butler wanting to steer clear of Memphis. Another fan asked:

"he don't f**k with Ja?" as a response the report.

Many expressed their frustrations with how Butler has gone about demanding a trade and feel they've reached a limit for caring about what happens to him. Others are hoping their favorite teams avoid Butler like a disease.

"Grizzlies are probably happy, not going to have to deal with his unprofessionalism," another user wrote.

"oh please please trade this overrated tool bag to Memphis now," one exhausted fan said.

"good I hope my suns don’t trade for jimmy butler dude is a cancer," another fan wrote. The Suns have been one of the main destinations linked to Butler.

One commenter gave a damning view of Butler's antics, inferring that every team he gets traded to is left in ruin when he departs.

"If any team is stupid enough to buy the jimmy butler lie then they deserve every bad thing that's going to happen to them. he's a serial arsonist and that's not twitter talk, look at all the charred homes in his wake!" another fan wrote.

Miami Heat suspend Jimmy Butler, again

Following the Heat's suspension of Jimmy Butler for seven games due to conduct deemed detrimental to the team, he returned to play on Jan. 17. Butler suited up for 33 minutes of action as the Heat hosted the Denver Nuggets. Butler has played in Miami's two games since, scoring eight points and 13 in each respective outing; however, that streak will be coming to an end.

Wednesday night the Heat announced that they have suspended Butler for two games for the continuation of his behavior.

"We have suspended Jimmy Butler for two games for continued pattern of disregard of team rules, insubordinate conduct and conduct detrimental to the team, including missing today’s team flight to Milwaukee," the Heat's statement read.

The suspension covers Miami's two-game road trip to Milwaukee and Brooklyn. This means Butler will presumably be available to play on Jan. 27, when the Heat host the Orlando Magic, pending an additional suspension or penalty.