Gilbert Arenas Surprises With Wedding Announcement With Melli Monaco 4 Jan 17, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) looks on against the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Miami Heat Suspend Jimmy Butler Indefinitely as Trade Saga Nears 2025 Trade Deadline

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics
By Christian Alamodin | Last updated Jan 28, 2025 1:55 PM ET

Everyone and their mother knows Jimmy Butler wants out of the Miami Heat. While meltdowns during practice and social media jabs have become a part of any Butler departure, the current drama may be the spiciest one.

With the trade deadline inching closer on all 30 teams, the Heat is reportedly ready to take less to get the problematic superstar off their hands. Pat Riley and the rest of the Miami front office refuse to end the season with a disgruntled star on their hands, which is probably good news for the star who already has a destination in mind.

Jimmy Buckets’ latest stunt—walking out of practice after learning he’ll be benched for the team’s next game—was met with extreme disciplinary action. It was made clear that the team will not tolerate any crashouts from the 35-year-old forward.

Heat suspends Jimmy Butler indefinitely due to recent stunts

Gilbert Arenas Surprises With Wedding Announcement With Melli Monaco 2 Jan 2, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) warms-up before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Black Enterprise’s Cedric Thornton writes about the franchise’s press release about the forward’s suspension:

“The Miami HEAT are suspending Jimmy Butler without pay effective immediately for an indefinite period to last no fewer than five games. 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.”

NBA.com reported that this is Butler’s third time being suspended this season, as he requested a trade from the team earlier this year. “I want to see me getting my joy back playing basketball,” he expressed to the media at the time.

Butler is having a terrible season in South Beach, averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists through 25 games. It’s clear that the six-time All-Star is not interested in playing the rest of his career in Miami, and the team is more than happy to dole out punishments for his stunts.

NBA Trade Rumors: Jimmy Butler Has 3 Teams Show Interest 1 Dec 16, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) is defended by Detroit Pistons forward Ronald Holland II (00) in the first half at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Given the fractious relationship between the two camps, it’s in everyone’s best interests that they find a compelling trade package that would send Butler out of Miami. Whether they actually pull it off is an entirely different matter.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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