'Ship the diva superstar already": Fans express disappointment as Jimmy Butler hit with two games suspension amid fall out with Pat Riley

ESPN's Shams Charania reported the Miami Heat will suspend Jimmy Butler for two games. According to Charania, the suspension stemmed from Butler missing a team flight on Wednesday as they prepared for a game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.

The NBA Insider revealed that Butler planned to be with the team. However, the front office has decided to keep him in Miami as the team completes their two-game road trip on Saturday.

Butler is coming off a three-game stretch, averaging 13.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists. Before the three games he played, he served a seven-game suspension issued by the front office due to "conduct detrimental to the team." This came following his request to be traded from Miami, leading to a fallout with Pat Riley.

The six-time All-Star informed the Heat that he has no intentions to stay with the franchise and wants to continue his career with a different team.

After seeing the report about Butler's new two-game suspension, fans couldn't help but share their thoughts on X (formerly Twitter).

Here are some of what the fans said on the social media platform.

"Ship the diva superstar already," a fan said.

"He’s played his last game as a Heat," another fan said.

"Pat Riley vs Jimmy Butler is the petty fest I never knew I needed," one fan commented.

Other fans had things to say about the Heat organization.

"This organization is turning to a joke 💀," one fan said.

"The Heat are a real life soap opera," another fan said.

"The Heat do realize this isn't helping their leverage in a trade correct," a fan posted.

Since Butler's return to the lineup, the Heat have had a 1-2 record. The All-Star's numbers have also gone down to 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists.

Jimmy Butler 'tripled down' on trade request

On Tuesday, Charania reported that Jimmy Butler has reiterated his desire to leave Miami. The ESPN reporter revealed during his appearance at "NBA Today."

"Butler has tripled down on his trade request. He did it to Pat Riley's face, and last week he did it to Micky Arison, the team owner and CEO. I'm told the Heat have had some productive conversations on a potential Butler trade this week," Charania said.

However, a trade involving Butler might not be an easy task to pull, even for the Heat. During the 2024-25 NBA season, the former Marquette star is set to earn $49 million and has a $52 million player option for next season.