Jimmy Butler Talks Return from Heat Suspension, Trade Rumors: 'We Are Where We Are'

Jimmy Butler didn't have any deep insights into where thing stand between him and the Miami Heat as he made his return to the lineup on Friday after serving a seven-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.

Speaking to reporters after Miami's 133-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets, Butler said "we are where we are" when discussing his relationship with the Heat right now.

"I guess it's basketball at this point," Butler explained. "I know what I'm expected to do while I'm here and try to do that to the best of my ability, but we are where we are."

There doesn't appear to have been any change in Butler's desire for a trade, based on his comments. ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Tuesday that Butler "reiterated" his trade stance in a recent face-to-face meeting with Heat president Pat Riley.

The Heat announced on Jan. 3 that Butler was being suspended seven games "for multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team over the course of the season and particularly the last several weeks."

Also in that announcement, the Heat said they "will listen to offers" for teams interested in trading for Butler.

While nothing seems imminent on the trade front, the Milwaukee Bucks have recently popped up as a potential landing spot for Butler. The Athletic's Sam Amick reported on Wednesday no one from Butler's camp has said he doesn't want to play for the Bucks.

Butler's return didn't provide much of a boost for the Heat. He did score 18 points, matching his combined total from the previous three games he played, but the flow of the offense was lacking.

Per Second Spectrum (h/t ESPN's Tim Bontemps), Butler had his second-fewest dribbles per touch in a game this season (1.6) and lowest average touch length (2.75 seconds) in any game since joining the Heat.

The Heat have lost three straight and six of their last nine games since Jan. 2. Their 20-20 record ranks ninth in the Eastern Conference. They have nine games remaining until the trade deadline.

Butler has played just three games since Dec. 21. The Heat have lost their last two games with him in the lineup by a combined 33 points.