Earlier this week, the Heat suspended Jimmy Butler for seven games for conduct detrimental to the team. Butler has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the franchise, even requesting a trade, and Heat president Pat Riley eventually had his fill.
Rumors about Miami trading the star forward first surfaced in November and December, when ESPN analyst Shams Charania mentioned him as a trade target for the Suns. In December, Charania reported that Butler was open to a trade from the Heat.
Despite Riley’s statement that the team had no intention of trading Butler, the star wing player continued to struggle on and off the court, culminating in a press conference on Tuesday night in which Butler publicly stated that he was unhappy playing in Miami and likely would never be again.
With Butler now away from the team as his future is uncertain, the rest of Miami’s roster is dealing with the consequences. Ahead of Saturday’s game against Utah, players were asked how the situation is affecting them.
Heat players comment on Jimmy Butler suspension
Butler’s antics have taken their toll on the Heat’s locker room. The star forward has been playing more casually than usual, and when teammates were asked about it, they found themselves in an awkward position.
Tyler Herro was asked about what can be done to get Butler more involved.
“I’m not sure, I have no clue, I’m not the coach. We tried to get him involved I thought.” #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/5tjg8YCxw3
— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) January 3, 2025
Bam Adebayo stated that the forward’s actions were disappointing, but that they should focus on winning games as a team. He also stated that the situation at the end of the day is “none of our business” and falls between Butler and the front office.
Both Terry Rozier and Nikola Jovic said it was difficult not to have Butler on the team, with Rozier putting it bluntly: “It sucks to see that he won’t be around.” Adebayo added that the forward must not have agreed with the team’s system.
“I feel like he came to work, he tried to perform, and it just didn’t go his way. I feel like he didn’t want to be in the corner. But like I said, we develop a system where we play around everybody, and we just had to figure out how to incorporate him. But after what happened yesterday, we’re focused on who’s with us now.”
Coach Erik Spoelstra said the team is just trying to “focus on tonight,” adding that “enough has been said.”
Why was Jimmy Butler suspended?
Butler has been vocal about his dissatisfaction in Miami this season. It began last June, when Butler was not offered a maximum two-year, $113 million extension due to the number of games he missed the previous season.
In November and December, Charania mentioned Butler as a possible trade partner with Phoenix.
I don’t know what I’m going to do because I’m a middle aged dad but just know it would indicate severe dislike. World… all this is fabricated. I have never and honestly it wouldn’t help me or the position I represent to do anything that’s been reported by said “journalist” https://t.co/1KOXza9SKg
— Bernard Lee (@BernieoLee) December 11, 2024
On December 12, Butler’s agent publicly chastised Charania on X for falsely reporting Butler’s interest in a trade, citing the agent as a source.
It was a quiet two weeks, but on December 26, Pat Riley and the Heat announced that Butler would not be traded.
Breaking: Six-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler prefers a trade out of Miami ahead of the Feb. 6 deadline, league sources told @ShamsCharania. pic.twitter.com/GpAI2BM9rf
— ESPN (@espn) December 25, 2024
Butler admitted on New Year’s Eve that he wasn’t sure if he wanted to continue playing for Miami. On January 2, he stated that he had lost his love for basketball with the Heat and that he wanted to play anywhere other than Miami.
Reporting for @SportsCenter — Jimmy Butler formally indicates to the Heat that he wants to play anywhere but Miami. pic.twitter.com/2G5nVMOnUR
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 3, 2025
Butler’s seven-game suspension was announced on Jan. 3 and the Heat specifically said that they are now open to trade offers for the forward.
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.
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) January 4, 2025
Heat upcoming schedule
| Date | Opponent |
| January 4 | vs. Jazz |
| January 6 | at Kings |
| January 7 | at Warriors |
| January 9 | at Jazz |
| January 11 | at Trail Blazers |
| January 13 | at Clippers |
| January 15 | at Lakers |
| January 17 | vs. Nuggets |
| January 19 | vs. Spurs |
| January 21 | vs. Trail Blazers |
Butler was suspended for seven games. This includes Miami’s home game on January 4 and an upcoming six-game road trip.
