The Heat are considering a major change in Jimmy Butler’s punishment
Odyssey on the drama between the Miami Heat and Jimmy Butler is intensifying every day as there are new reports from NBA insider Chris Haynes. The The Heat suspended Butler for seven games for “conduct detrimental to the team,” but Haynes reports that there could be a change in distinction that could affect the star.
Haynes would say on social media that Miami was “thinking about changing the difference” to “denial of service” which would reportedly double the total amount of fines he collected during his suspension. The final game of the suspension on Wednesday will cost Butler $2.4 million, though the players’ association has filed a grievance to dispute that.
“I am informed by league sources that the Miami Heat are considering changing the name of Jimmy Butler’s suspension from ‘conduct detrimental to the team’ to ‘refusal of services,'” Haynes said. “Now such a change would double Jimmy’s fine. I am told that the mark is the same as now, but it is liquid, and this only speaks of how this relationship between Jimmy and Miami fell apart in just a short period of time.
Butler would say he lost the “joy” of playing basketball after the Heat lost to the Indiana Pacers on Jan. 2 and scored nine points in back-to-back games. The The Heat star in Butler would even be questioned about his effort level.
The drama between Heath and Jimmy Butler continues
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When asked if he could recapture that joy with Miami, he replied “Probably not,” prompting the team to suspend Butler for seven games for the aforementioned reason “during the season” and especially “the last few weeks”.
“We have suspended Jimmy Butler for seven games due to multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team throughout the season, and in particular over the last few weeks,” the Heat said in a statement. “By his actions and statements, he showed that he no longer wants to be part of this team.” Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated they want to be traded, so we will listen to offers.
Butler told Riley in a face-to-face meeting his stance that he wants to be traded and will not sign a new contract. While Miami explored trade options, there was no deal to their liking with the Feb. 6 trade deadline looming.
While the trade deadline is less than a month away, he is eligible to return from his suspension on Friday when the Heat host the Denver Nuggets. According to Anthony Chang of the Miami Herald, he is expected to return and tie the game “to play in games.”
“Butler is expected to rejoin the Heat and be available to play in games if he is still on the roster at the end of his suspension,” Chang wrote. “For now, the Heat are not interested in keeping Butler off the team while paying him the remainder of his $48.8 million salary for this season after the suspension is over.”
The The Heat face the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday to complete the trip and final contest for Butler’s suspension.
2025-01-15 19:16:00
