Jimmy Butler has been suspended by the Miami Heat for the second time in just three weeks, raising speculation that he may have played his last game for the team. This recent suspension will keep him off the court for two games, following what the organization described as a “continued pattern of disregard of team rules, insubordinate conduct, and detrimental conduct,” which included missing a flight to Milwaukee earlier that day. The Heat were set to compete against the Bucks on Thursday and then face Brooklyn on Saturday. Should Butler remain on the roster, the earliest he could return to play would be on Monday at home against Orlando.
As the Heat prepared for their game against Milwaukee, coach Erik Spoelstra refrained from discussing Butler specifically. However, he shared insights about adapting quickly to changes within the league. “The point that I made to our team is to get used to it. Get over it,” Spoelstra noted. He emphasized that unpredictability is a part of NBA life, urging his players to maintain mental toughness and focus on their upcoming challenges. “Nothing changes in terms of what the task is. We have a game tonight,” he asserted, reinforcing the team’s sense of identity.
In recent weeks, Butler has expressed a desire for a trade, although he has kept this request private due to league rules that prohibit players from making such demands public. Officially acknowledging this request during Butler’s earlier suspension in January, the Heat stated their intention to work towards fulfilling it. With the NBA trade deadline approaching on February 6, the situation is increasingly urgent.
Earlier this month, Butler endured a seven-game suspension, leading to a financial loss of approximately $2.4 million in salary. He returned to play last week, participating in three games and averaging 13.0 points over about 29 minutes each game. On the day of the missed flight, the Heat departed for Milwaukee earlier than usual, around 2:15 p.m., leaving some to speculate whether this played a role in Butler’s absence.
Coincidentally, the team’s travel dates clashed with a padel tournament in Miami that listed Butler as an honorary chairman and co-captain, with his coffee company, Big Face, also associated with the event. Nevertheless, it remains unclear if Butler had intended to attend the tournament or if this influenced his decision to skip the flight.
The ongoing discord between Butler and the Heat has been evident for several weeks, if not longer. At the crux of the issue is Butler’s contract situation; he is eligible for a lucrative two-year, $113 million extension, which the Heat have not yet offered, primarily due to his frequent absences—approximately 25% of games since joining the team in 2019. Additionally, Butler has voiced dissatisfaction with what he perceives as a diminished role in the Heat’s offensive strategies. His behavior has further fueled rumors, as he has recently participated differently during player introductions and maintained distance during team timeouts.
“There was a lot said by everybody, except for me, to tell you the truth,” Butler stated after returning from suspension. “We’ll let people keep talking. … The whole truth will come out.”
This latest development in the Butler saga coincides with the Phoenix Suns’ recent trade with Utah, which saw them acquire three first-round draft picks. These picks are likely intended to facilitate additional trades, potentially placing Butler on the Suns’ radar. A trade involving Butler would be complex, likely requiring the participation of multiple teams to align all the assets.
The buzz surrounding Butler’s possible exit has persisted for weeks. Notably, during December games, his hair color coincidentally matched the primary colors of the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, and Houston Rockets—teams often mentioned as potential trade partners. Furthermore, in a recent game against Portland, Butler donned shoes that were orange, echoing the Suns’ color scheme.
