Jimmy Butler's relationship with Heat is beyond repair

The Jimmy Butler saga took another turn on Monday. The Miami Heat suspended the veteran All-Star indefinitely. Butler had walked out of a team practice after learning he wouldn't be part of Miami's starting lineup. 

This is Butler's third suspension in January. He is unlikely to play for the Heat before the Feb. 6 trade deadline, and he could be shipped elsewhere in the NBA.

"The Miami Heat are suspending forward Jimmy Butler indefinitely, sources told ESPN on Monday," ESPN's Shams Charania reported. "Butler has missed nine of Miami's last 12 games entering Monday due to a pair of suspensions, the first of which was for seven games due to conduct that the Heat deemed detrimental." 

Butler has had messy exits from teams before. He has a reputation for being a disruptive presence once he decides it's time to move on. The last time he made such a commotion was when he forced his way out of a young Minnesota Timberwolves roster.

Still, the Heat won't be pleased with how this situation is unfolding. Their reputation as a premier franchise that does everything right is being damaged. Butler is making Miami look bad with his actions, likely knowing that it could expedite his departure from the team. 

Much like his style of play, Butler thrives in chaos. Neither he nor Pat Riley will want this partnership to last beyond the trade deadline. Things have become too fractured to repair. However, Miami is unlikely to continue paying Butler to stay at home. 

Something needs to happen over the next week. Butler knows it, which is likely why he was willing to eat another suspension. The longer he's on the sidelines, the less chance he has of sustaining an injury and scuppering his chances of a move. 

Things are getting messy in South Beach, and judging by the personalities involved, it could yet get even worse.