Jimmy Butler Faces Suspension from Miami Heat Once More Following Early Exit from Shoot-Around

Jimmy Butler has made his return from suspension. Once again.

But not long into his comeback, Butler found himself suspended by the Miami Heat. Yet again.

This marks Butler’s third suspension in just a month, with the latest one commencing almost immediately as the previous one concluded.

The Heat disclosed that Butler departed early from shoot-around practice ahead of their game against the Orlando Magic. Presently, the suspension is indefinite, set to last for at least five games.

Following the completion of his second suspension, Butler was slated to return on Monday, only to be handed a third suspension. According to a source familiar with the matter, Butler was informed during shoot-around that he would not be reinstated into the starting lineup for Tuesday’s game AEDT.

Shortly thereafter, he left shoot-around, as reported by the source who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity since the team did not officially confirm that detail.

Prior to this, Butler had been suspended from the last two games after missing a team flight to Milwaukee the previous week.

In total, Butler has missed 14 of the Heat’s last 19 games, of which nine were due to suspensions — the initial suspension being a seven-game penalty for conduct deemed detrimental to the team, followed by the two-game ban.

Questions regarding Butler’s future role — whether as a starter or coming off the bench — were lingering even before the latest suspension was confirmed. Remarkably, he has not come off the bench since January 27, 2017, in a game against Miami, where he and former Chicago teammate Dwyane Wade publicly criticised the Bulls’ gameplay.

Including playoff appearances, Butler has notched a starting role in each of his last 560 games.

“At this point, it feels quite normal,” commented Heat guard Tyler Herro during shoot-around when asked about Butler’s return following a suspension — words expressed just a few hours prior to the announcement of the latest suspension.

“It is what it is, but nothing’s set in stone. We just have to be prepared to adapt to whatever situation we face tonight. We’ve got to be ready to roll.”

Butler has expressed a desire for a trade, and Miami is attempting to accommodate him. However, transferring Butler and his hefty $A77.5 million salary this season is likely going to present more challenges than in previous years, primarily due to the league’s salary aprons — levels implemented through the new collective bargaining agreement that limit how larger-spending teams can conduct certain transactions.

This saga has unfolded over almost two months and is expected to reach a resolution — one way or another — within the next week or so. The NBA’s trade deadline looms on February 6, suggesting that Tuesday AEDT might be one of the last occasions Butler plays as a home player in Miami.