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Jimmy Butler told the world he can’t find joy with the Miami Heat after a Thursday night loss to the Indiana Pacers. Now the Heat are telling him to stay at home for the next seven games for ‘conduct detrimental to the team.’
The Heat have suspended Butler for seven games after he took his trade demand to the next level on Thursday night. Butler was hesitant to shoot and seemed generally disengaged in his last two games as he returned from illness. After the loss to the Pacers, Butler gave a viral press conference where he more or less said he wants to leave the Heat, and it was followed by an ESPN report spelling out Butler’s desire to get to a new team this season in plain language.
Heat boss Pat Riley already put out a statement saying Butler won’t be traded. Now, he’s acknowledging that Miami will listen to offers since it’s clear Butler doesn’t want to be around. The Heat have suspended the veteran star for seven games without pay.
Miami Heat: Jimmy Butler has been suspended for seven games for multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team over the course of the season and particularly the last several weeks.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 4, 2025
The Heat say they are open to listening to all Jimmy Butler offers: “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.” https://t.co/4YMMPNy8nM
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 4, 2025
Eight days after Pat Riley announced the Heat are not trading Jimmy Butler, Miami announces it is open for business for all offers. https://t.co/6OdbTNSIH6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 4, 2025
This of course all comes back to money. Butler wants a new long-term contract. The Heat don’t want to give him one at 35 years old. Butler has a player option for next season at $52 million, and he’s promising to opt out and find more guaranteed money.
The Heat have no incentive to tank with their 2025 first-round draft pick belonging to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Miami is 17-15 overall, and is currently the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
We’ll update this story as it develops.
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