Heat suspend Butler 7 games, will listen to trade offers
The Miami Heat suspended wing Jimmy Butler for seven games due to his recent comments about no longer wanting to play in South Beach.
"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," the Heat wrote in a statement Friday. "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 players' association announced that it intends to file a grievance to challenge Butler's "excessive and inappropriate" suspension.
Butler's seven-game suspension concludes Jan. 15, the day most players with trade restrictions are eligible to be dealt, according to SiriusXM's Rob Perez.
His desired landing spots reportedly include the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, and his hometown Houston Rockets.
The Heat have no desire to take back Suns guard Bradley Beal in a potential trade due to the $110 million remaining on his contract, sources told ESPN's Bobby Marks. Beal would also need to waive his no-trade clause to make the move work.
Butler said Thursday he's lost his "joy" playing basketball in Miami. He has been at the center of all trade rumors for weeks now, but Heat president Pat Riley said last week that the franchise wouldn't trade Butler.
Butler struggled in the last two Heat games, scoring just nine points in each and being benched the entire fourth quarter of both contests. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra called Butler's recent performances "aberrational," per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.
The suspension will bring him to the 65-game eligibility threshold, meaning he's disqualified for season awards if he misses another game after the suspension, according to NBA journalist Tom Haberstroh.
Butler will be away from the team for Saturday's home game against the Utah Jazz and the Heat's six-game road trip that includes contests with the Sacramento Kings, Warriors, Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Los Angeles Lakers.
The 35-year-old holds a $52-million player option for 2025-26, and he reportedly intends to decline the option to enter free agency this summer.
Butler's suspension will cost him $2.35 million in salary, according to Marks.
The six-time All-Star is averaging 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists through 22 games of action.