Jimmy Butler Suspended for Detrimental Conduct; Heat Open to Trade amid NBA Rumors

The Miami Heat have suspended forward Jimmy Butler seven games for "multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team." In addition, Miami confirmed it is listening to trade offers.

Butler's suspension will cost him $2.35 million for the seven games missed, per ESPN's Bobby Marks:

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the National Basketball Players Association intends to file a grievance to dispute Miami's suspension of Butler:

The NBPA later released a statement on the matter:

The news dropped one day after Butler told reporters he wanted to find his joy in playing basketball and that he "probably" wouldn't be able to find it again in Miami.

"What do I want to see happen? I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball, wherever that may be," Butler said Thursday after Miami fell 128-115 to the Indiana Pacers. "We'll find out here pretty soon, but gotta get my joy back.

"I'm happy here, you know, off the court. But I want to be back to somewhat dominant. I want to hoop. I want to help this team win, but right now, I'm not enjoying it."

The 35-year-old Butler, a six-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA player, has averaged 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists in his 14th NBA season.

On Thursday, ESPN's Shams Charania and Brian Windhorst reported that Butler had made a trade request, although he did not give "a list of favored destinations" to the team.

"Butler does not plan to furnish the Heat with a list of favored destinations, sources told ESPN. He is open to playing anywhere other than Miami and believes he can make any team a contender -- no matter where he is moved. He does plan to take part in all team activities and do whatever the Heat ask of him during this process, sources said."

Butler and the Heat (most notably president Pat Riley) have reportedly had issues since last season, per Charania and Windhorst.

"The Butler-Heat relationship has been tense since last spring when Riley announced the team would not extend Butler's contract before the 2024-25 season. Butler could have gotten an extension for as much as $113 million over two years.

"Butler missed the Heat's first-round playoff series loss to the Boston Celtics last season because of a knee injury he suffered in the team's play-in tournament victory. After the loss, Butler gave an interview on social media in which he indicated the Heat would've won the series had he been healthy.

"'If you're not on the court playing, you should keep your mouth shut,' Riley said in response at his end-of-season media session."

Trade rumors surrounded Butler this season and reached a fever pitch on Dec. 10 when Charania had this to say.

Butler's agent, Bernard Lee, fired off this response.

Charania stood by his reporting:

Butler was recently out five games due to a stomach illness. During that time, on Christmas Day, Charania reported that Butler "prefers a trade out of Miami. Riley then responded with a statement that the Heat "are not trading Jimmy Butler."

This stalemate between Butler and Riley appears headed for a trade, though. On Thursday's edition of Inside the NBA, Charles Barkley had this to say (2:21 mark).

"This was one of the worst-kept secrets in the world. This thing's been over. The situation is this. Pat Riley, who's arguably the greatest ever, he's not going to pay Jimmy Butler...Jimmy Butler is upset. Jimmy Butler has a $55 million option for next year...he wants an extension. Pat Riley let Dwyane Wade go past his prime. He's not going to pay Jimmy Butler. Jimmy's mad. He can get mad. But this relationship has been over. Been over (since) some of the stuff they said after last season. So this is one of the worst-kept secrets...this relationship is over. He's not gonna get an extension, plain and simple."

And so Butler, who will be dangerously close to missing his shot at season awards if he misses another game post-suspension, and the Heat appear headed to divorce.

It's ultimately an unfortunate end to a great run in Miami, where Butler led the Heat to a pair of Eastern Conference titles after signing with the team in 2019.