Jimmy Butler, Heat Reportedly Reach Settlement on $6M in Fines, Withheld Salary
Jimmy Butler and his former team, the Miami Heat, reportedly reached a settlement on the $6 million in fines and withheld salary he piled up while awaiting a trade last season.
Per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Butler and the Heat agreed on a $3 million settlement. Winderman noted that Butler appealed the penalties as soon as they were assessed last season, and the compromise was being finalized with the NBA.
Butler started the 2024-25 campaign with the Heat, but things quickly became messy when the veteran made it clear he wanted out of Miami. ESPN's Shams Charania reported last December that Butler preferred to be traded, but the Heat responded with a statement saying they had no plans of trading him.
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Days after the report, Butler spoke publicly about wanting out, saying he wanted to get his "joy back from playing basketball." When asked whether that could happen in Miami, he said, "Probably not."
Butler was then given a seven-game suspension for "multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team."
A few weeks after his first suspension, Butler was once again suspended for five games after walking out of practice after being told he was being replaced in the starting lineup by Haywood Highsmith. The games he missed led to a lofty fine.
The Heat eventually granted Butler his trade request, sending him to the Golden State Warriors ahead of the trade deadline.
According to Winderman, the $3 million settlement "satisfied both parties, with the Heat found within their rights to assess the penalties, but with Butler also reasonable in questioning the degree of the sanctions." Winderman also noted that one game of Butler's suspension was later rescinded.
With Butler's messy Heat exit now seemingly in the past, the star will look to make the most of his first full season with the Warriors. He got off to a strong start in his first game, posting 31 points, five boards and four assists in a 119-109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.
The Heat will tip off their first full season with Butler on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic.
