The Miami Heat have dropped a bombshell, suspending star player Jimmy Butler for seven games after he made it clear he wants out of South Beach.
It’s going to cost him big time – $346,543 for each game he misses, adding up to a whopping $2.35 million hit to his wallet.
"Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team," the Heat said in a statement Friday night. The team added they’re now willing to listen to trade offers for their frustrated star.
Butler’s not happy, and it shows. "I want to see me getting my joy back playing basketball," he said after Thursday’s loss to the Pacers, where he scored just nine points. "Wherever that may be, we’ll find out here pretty soon."
The drama’s been building for a while.
The Heat refused to give Butler a two-year, $113 million extension last summer – a decision that clearly didn’t sit well with the 14-year veteran. He’s currently making $48.8 million this season and could become a free agent in 2025 if he turns down his $52.4 million player option.
Things got worse this week. Team officials weren’t happy with Butler’s effort in their New Year’s Day win over New Orleans, where he took just five shots in 25 minutes.
Coach Erik Spoelstra’s response? He benched Butler for the fourth quarter in two straight games.
The Golden State Warriors are currently the betting favorites to land Butler if a trade happens before the February 6 deadline.
Butler won’t be around for a while. He’ll miss Saturday’s home game against Utah and the team’s entire six-game West Coast road trip.
The Heat have managed okay without their star so far this season, going 5-5 when he’s not in the lineup.
If Butler wants to fight the suspension, he’s got 30 days to file a grievance. But that process could drag on for up to a year, with the fine money held in escrow until there’s a resolution.
The question now isn’t if Butler will leave Miami, but when – and where he’ll end up next.
