The Heat have announced that they have suspended six-time All-Star small forward Jimmy Butler for seven games as he continues to agitate for a trade publicly.
“We have suspended Jimmy Butler for seven games for multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team over the course of the season and particularly the last several weeks,” Miami wrote.
“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,” the Heat added.
On Thursday, it was suggested that Butler had informed Miami that he still wanted to be traded, and was open to being moved anywhere that wasn’t the Heat. This news arrived on the heels of an initial report on Christmas that Butler was hoping to be dealt away.
Miami team president Pat Riley had indicated that the Heat had zero intention of trading Butler this season just eight days ago. Now, the team appears to have changed its tune, indicating that it is very much open to business. Butler has a $52.4M player option for 2025-26 and thus could potentially become an unrestricted free agent as soon as this summer. That and his prohibitive salary may make him tough to trade.
The Warriors, Suns, Mavericks and his hometown Rockets had been floated as Butler’s preferred landing spots in a deal, but apparently that list has expanded.
