Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler was suspended for seven games by the Miami Heat for conduct detrimental to the team. Initially, the finer details of the suspension weren't shared but certain things are now being revealed regarding Butler's relationship with the Heat organization.
On Monday's edition of the Stein Line, NBA Insider Jake Fischer wrote about Butler's behavior, which caused a rift between him and the team. Stein described how even one of Butler's close friends on the team eventually grew tired of his antics. He also mentioned some incidents that contributed to straining the relationship between the Heat and the 6× NBA All-Star.
Here is what Fischer wrote regarding Butler's antics on the Stein Line.
"Sources say even Lowry, who remains as close away from the court as anyone to Butler, gradually grew fatigued by his teammate's headstrong tendencies on the floor," Fischer wrote. "Currently in his second season with his hometown Philadelphia 76ers, Lowry declined to comment last week when an interview was requested."
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Additionally, Fischer said that the small forward occasionally missed shootarounds. He also reportedly insisted on taking private flights instead of those chartered for the team.
Jimmy Butler has already served five games of his seven-game suspension. The Heat lost the first two games but have since turned things around by going on a three-game win streak.
The last two games of Butler's suspension will cause him to miss Miami's LA trip, where they will face the Clippers (Monday, Jan. 13) and Lakers (Wednesday, Jan. 15) in back-to-back games.
Butler has also been at the center of the rumor mill with the Miami Heat reportedly interested in trading him.
Also read: NBA Rumors: Jimmy Butler likely to commit to $52 million player option despite Heat drama
The latest trade rumors regarding Jimmy Butler amidst his seven-game suspension
The Feb. 6 trade deadline will be upon us soon, which is the final day when teams can make trades. As that date approaches, Jimmy Butler remains one of the top talents to look out for.
There were initial reports that the Golden State Warriors could be major players in acquiring Butler since the star himself was reportedly willing to go there. However, that noise appears to have quieted down for a while and there's no telling if it will pick up again.
Marc J. Spears reports that the Warriors are reportedly targeting a big man. He mentions Walker Kessler, John Collins, Jonas Valanciunas and Nikola Vucevic as players who are likelier to join the Warriors than Butler.
The Phoenix Suns are another team that wants to acquire Butler. The small forward is also reportedly open to the idea of playing for Phoenix.
However, the Suns are not willing to part with either Devin Booker or Kevin Durant to get a deal done. This is where Bradley Beal comes into play. What makes this complicated is the fact that Beal will have to agree to any trade he is involved in due to his no-trade clause.
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