- Jimmy Butler requested a trade from the Miami Heat earlier this month.
- He has been suspended for the third time after walking out of practice on January 27.
- The Heat are working out trade possibilities for the 35-year-old star.
The Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler seem to be at the point of no return. Ever since the six-time All-Star didn’t receive an extension from the team last summer, it has been contentious between the two sides.
It has likely reached its breaking point as the Heat suspended Butler for at least five games on Monday, January 27. The suspension will take the situation to the NBA trade deadline on February 6.
Butler Walks Out of Practice, Suspended for At Least Five Games
Butler’s suspension was reported by ESPN.
Butler was reportedly told by the Heat that he wouldn’t be starting anymore, as he was due to return from his second suspension since the beginning of January on Monday night. The Heat were planning to start Haywood Highsmith over Butler, who walked out of the team’s practice. The Heat said in a statement:
"The suspension is due to a continued pattern of disregard of team rules, engaging in conduct detrimental to the team and intentionally withholding services. This includes walking out of practice earlier today."
The “intentionally withholding services” part of the statement is important, as Butler has filed a grievance with the NBA’s Player Union, to get back some of the money he has lost so far. Butler has been losing $532,737 for each game he has been suspended. Butler first requested a trade on January 3.
To their credit, the Heat won last night by a score of 125-119 in double overtime over Orlando. Tyler Herro continues his fantastic season with 30 points, 12 assists, and eight rebounds. Bam Adebayo added 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assist for the Heat, who are 23-22 on the season.
Where do the Heat and Butler Go from Here?
While most people are thinking about their NFL playoff pick ‘em contests and Super Bowl squares, the NBA world is focused on the Butler situation. There isn’t a good chance that Butler plays another game in a Heat uniform.
Most NBA betting sites have Phoenix favored in the Jimmy Butler next team odds, while Golden State and Milwaukee are in the mix. The Suns are trying to work with Bradley Beal, whose massive contract would have to be included. However, he has a no-trade clause and hasn’t found a good situation for him.
This is likely going to be a trade with three or more teams to make sure everyone gets what they want. However, the Heat are losing value on Butler every day and with the trade deadline only nine days away, it looks like their two options are trading him for less than he’s worth, or sitting him for the rest of the season.
After that, Butler has a player option of $52 million which he could decline to get a longer contract with someone else. But it’ll be interesting to see the team who takes him up on that offer.
