Photo: João Pedro Menezes / EyeEm / EyeEm / Getty Images
Miami, FL - The Miami Heat suspended Jimmy Butler for the second time in less than a month, citing a "continued pattern of disregard for team rules and insubordinate conduct," raising questions about whether Butler has already played his last game for the team.
The latest suspension, announced Wednesday night, will sideline Butler for two games, including matchups against the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets.
According to the Heat, the suspension was also tied to Butler missing the team’s flight to Milwaukee earlier that day.
The earliest Butler could return to the court is Monday in a home game against the Orlando Magic, but whether he remains on the Heat roster by then is uncertain.
Miami’s head coach Erik Spoelstra avoided addressing Butler directly when speaking to reporters Thursday but emphasized the team's need to adapt to change.
“This is the NBA life. This is the life we chose. If you think it’s just going to be predictable, you’re really mistaken,” Spoelstra said. “We have a game tonight. We have enough continuity. We know what our identity is at this point.”
Tensions between Butler and the Heat have reportedly been brewing for weeks, with the primary source of friction stemming from financial disagreements.
Butler, 34, is eligible for a two-year, $113 million contract extension, but the Heat have not made an offer, citing his history of injuries that has caused him to miss about 25% of games since joining the team in 2019.
Butler’s dissatisfaction reportedly goes beyond money. He is said to be unhappy with changes to his role within the Heat offense, and signs of a rift have been apparent.
Butler sat apart from teammates during timeouts in recent games and refrained from his usual participation in pregame introductions.
Adding to the drama, Butler’s suspension coincides with a Miami padel tournament in which he is listed as an honorary chairman and co-captain.
His coffee company, Big Face, is also a sponsor of the event. While it is unclear if the event was a factor in his missed flight, the timing has fueled speculation.
The Heat publicly acknowledged Butler’s desire for a trade earlier this month when suspending him for seven games for conduct detrimental to the team.
During that suspension, Butler forfeited approximately $2.4 million in salary.
Although Butler returned to play three games last week, averaging 13.0 points per game, his future with the franchise remains in limbo.
Trade rumors have escalated in recent days. Butler has been linked to multiple teams, including the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets. Notably, Butler’s choice of footwear in a recent game matched the Suns’ signature orange color, sparking further speculation.
Reports suggest that Phoenix may attempt to acquire Butler following their recent trade with Utah, which netted them three first-round draft picks.
However, such a trade would likely require a multi-team deal to meet the financial and roster requirements.
The NBA trade deadline on February 6 looms large, with Butler’s future in Miami hanging in the balance.
For now, the Heat must prepare to face the Bucks without their star player, as the possibility of a high-profile breakup grows stronger.
