Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler suspended for seven games with trade imminent

The GIST: Six-time NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler might’ve played his last game with the Miami Heat after receiving a team-issued seven-game suspension for eyebrow-raising comments about his on-court unhappiness in the 305. So much for “no shenanigans.”

The context: Ever since he signed with Miami in 2019, Butler and Heat Culture seemed like a match made in hoops heaven. Gritty and brash, Butler was a natural fit for team president Pat Riley’s unapologetic franchise, leading the team to two NBA Finals appearances (2020, 2023) and cultivating an undeniable postseason persona in the process.

• So what went wrong? A few things. Playoff Jimmy didn’t negotiate an extension with the Heat in the offseason after a public back-and-forth with Riley regarding his repeated game absences.

• And if you think you’ve seen this film before, you’re right — Butler’s Minnesota Timberwolves tenure also ended in dramatic fashion in 2018.

The latest: While this tension has been simmering for months, it all boiled over in December. On the 26th, Riley issued a statement that the Heat are “not trading Jimmy Butler,” but when Butler was asked on the 31st if he wanted to play for Miami, he answered, “That’s a good question.” Yikes.

• Fast forward to January 3rd, the Heat suspended Butler for “conduct detrimental to the team” and said they were fielding trade offers. The suspension will cost Butler almost $2.4M in fines and the NBA Players Association intends to appeal on his behalf.

• But for now, with the February 6th trade deadline looming, Butler’s sidelined until another team scoops him up. Are breakups always this messy?