“The Miami Heat are set to suspend Jimmy Butler for two games, according to sources speaking with ESPN,” Charania reported. “Butler missed a team flight Wednesday and had intended to join the Heat later that evening. As a result, Miami is keeping him from traveling on its two-game road trip.”
This would be Butler’s second suspension by the Heat, the first one lasting seven days.
The earlier suspension occurred after Butler had requested a trade from the team and criticized his relationship with the organization.
“We have suspended Jimmy Butler for seven games due to multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team, particularly in recent weeks,” the Heat stated on X (formerly Twitter).
“His actions and statements indicate he no longer wants to be part of this team. Butler and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, so we will entertain trade offers.”
Miami has not yet issued a statement about this new suspension.
This season, Butler has averaged 17 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game in 25 games.
Butler began his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls, who selected him 30th overall in the 2011 NBA Draft. He played for Chicago until 2017 when he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Butler was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers before signing with the Heat on July 6, 2019. He played a key role in Miami’s 2020 NBA Finals appearance, although they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.
Butler again led the Heat to the NBA Finals in 2023, becoming the second No. 8 seed to reach the finals, though Miami lost to the Denver Nuggets in five games.
In his NBA career, Butler is a six-time NBA All-Star, won NBA Most Improved Player in 2015, led the league in steals in 2021, and earned an Olympic gold medal in 2016.
