Why is Jimmy Butler not playing tonight against Utah Jazz? Latest on Miami Heat star's absence (Jan. 4)

Jimmy Butler will not suit up for the Miami Heat on Saturday night against the Utah Jazz. The six-time NBA All-Star is serving a seven-game team suspension. Butler may have played his last game for Miami on Friday. The Heat have taken strict action against his conduct and said they will field offers for him on the trade market.

The situation escalated on Thursday after Butler publicly said he may not find his 'joy' playing basketball with the Heat. Reports emerged that he had submitted a trade request, and Miami changed its stance on not trading him weeks after executive Pat Riley suggested the opposite.

The Heat will reportedly now look to trade Butler as soon as possible. As of Friday, they are engaged with teams on potential packages. Butler joined the Heat in 2019 and has led the team to a playoff berth every year. Miami has also made two NBA Finals appearances.

Jimmy Butler was extension-eligible this past summer, but the Heat didn't offer him a deal. Despite the standoff with Butler, which has now lasted for the past seven games, the Heat are 17-15 and sixth in the East. Tyler Herro seemingly has replaced Butler as the franchise centerpiece next to Bam Adebayo.

Miami could still be a playoff contender without Butler. The Eastern Conference is wide open, with several teams having an uneven season.

Jimmy Butler open to playing anywhere but the Miami Heat

The Jimmy Butler-Heat divorce is getting messy to the point where the star player wishes to play for any team but Miami. Butler reportedly had multiple contenders like the Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors in mind as landing spots, but he is open to a trade to any other franchise.

As of this moment, Butler's suitors and market could be limited because of his $48,798,67734 contract. He also has a player option worth $52,413,3943 next season. Butler could decline that and become an unrestricted free agent. He holds his cards for next year, and the salary could be an issue for two consecutive seasons for any team.

Butler, 35, has shown that his floor rises significantly in the postseason, but he's not as impactful during the regular season. It will be a high-risk, high-cost reward situation for any potential suitor.