Why is Jimmy Butler suspended by Heat for 7 games? Latest on Miami superstar amid trade buzz explored

Toronto Raptors v Miami Heat - Source: Getty
Miami Heat's Jimmy Butler (Image Source: Getty)

The Jimmy Butler and Miami Heat saga is arguably the biggest storyline in the NBA this season, with a little over a month left before the Feb. 6 deadline. In the latest development, NBA insider Shams Charania reported on Friday that the Heat suspended Butler for seven games.

"Miami Heat: Jimmy Butler has been suspended for seven games for multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team over the course of the season and particularly the last several weeks," Charania wrote.

According to Charania, the Heat are also now open to listening to all offers for the six-time NBA All-Star.

"The Heat say they are open to listening to all Jimmy Butler offers: “Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team. Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, therefore, we will listen to offers,"" Charania posted.

Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.

ESPN's Bobby Marks detailed the fines that Butler will incur during his seven-game absence. Each game missed will cost $346,543, for a total of $2.35 million. Butler has a $48.8 million expiring salary this season.

Butler will sit down Saturday's game against Utah and Miami's upcoming six-game road trip. The suspension will end on Jan. 15, the day when most players with trade restrictions on their contracts will be eligible to be included in any trades.

The Heat are now open to hearing offers for Butler, eight days after Heat president Pat Riley announced that they are not trading Butler.

"We usually don't comment on rumors, but all this speculation has become a distraction to the team and is not fair to the players and coaches. Therefore, we will make it clear - We are not trading Jimmy Butler," Riley said via the Heat's X account.

Jimmy Butler's recent production and statements

Jimmy Butler's two recent performances had been underwhelming to his standards. In the Heat's last two games, he failed to crack double digits in scoring. He only scored nine points in both outings and did not play in the fourth quarter for consecutive games. He is averaging 17.6 points in 55.2% shooting (37.5% on 3-pointers) this season and is usually a reliable go-to guy in the final period.

After Thursday's game, Butler made his feelings known regarding the rumors. He said that he doesn't find joy in playing basketball anymore.

“What do I want to see happen? I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball," Butler said. "Whoever that may be, we will find out here pretty soon. I need my joy back."

Butler also said that he is happy off the court in South Beach, but he wants to return to his former self.

"I'm happy here (Miami) off the court, but I want to be back to someone dominant, I wanna hoop. I wanna help this team win, but right now I'm not doing it," he added.

When reporters asked if he could get his joy back in Miami. Butler said:

"Probably not."

Butler's bombshell and recent performances may have ignited a seven-game suspension. A rough ending is now developing for the Butler-Heat partnership that has produced two NBA finals appearances in 2020 and 2023.

Miami Heat Nation! You can check out the latest Miami Heat Schedule and dive into the Heat Depth Chart for NBA Season 2024-25.

Quick Links

Edited by Debasish
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications