Miami Heat Suspend Jimmy Butler for Flight No-Show and ‘Disrespectful Behaviour’

Jimmy Butler has been suspended by the Miami Heat for the second instance in the last three weeks, raising speculation that he may have already played his last game for the franchise.

This latest suspension, which will see him sidelined for two games, was issued for what the team described as a “continued pattern of disregard for team rules, insubordinate behaviour, and conduct detrimental to the team.” One notable incident involved Butler missing the Heat’s flight to Milwaukee earlier that day.

The Heat were set to face the Bucks on Friday (AEDT) and Brooklyn on Sunday.

If Butler is to play for the Heat again, the earliest opportunity would be on Monday at home against Orlando — providing he is still on the team’s roster, a situation that seems increasingly uncertain.

While preparing for their game against the Bucks in Milwaukee on Thursday, Miami coach Erik Spoelstra declined to comment on Butler’s situation specifically. However, when asked how to adapt quickly in the face of change within the league, Spoelstra had plenty to say.

“I’ve urged our team to embrace it. Move on,” Spoelstra stated. “This is the life in the NBA. We chose this path. If you expect it to be predictable, you’re sorely mistaken. It requires mental strength and a commitment to focus on the task at hand. The goal remains unchanged: we have a game tonight. Our continuity is enough; we understand our identity by now.”

Butler has privately expressed to the Heat his desire for a trade, a request he hasn’t made public due to league regulations that prohibit such declarations. Players who vocalise their trade demands risk fines of up to $A238,000.

The Heat brought Butler’s trade request to light when suspending him earlier this month for conduct detrimental to the team, indicating they would work to facilitate his trade.

The NBA’s trade deadline looms on February 6.

Earlier this month, Butler was handed a seven-game suspension, which resulted in a loss of approximately $A3.8 million in salary. He returned to action last week and has played in the three most recent games for Miami, averaging 13.0 points over 29.3 minutes.

The Heat departed for Milwaukee at around 2.15pm, a noticeably earlier time than usual for their travel, casting uncertainty on whether it played into Butler’s absence from the flight.

Additionally, the timing of this road trip aligns with a padel tournament happening in Miami, where Butler is listed as an honorary chairman and co-captain. His coffee venture, Big Face, is also involved with the event, although it remains unclear if he intended to be present and whether it contributed to him missing the flight to Milwaukee.

Butler’s impending separation from the Heat has been developing over the past several weeks, if not months. A significant factor in the rift appears to be financial; he’s eligible for a two-year, $A179 million extension, but the Heat have refrained from offering such a deal, largely due to his absence from approximately 25 percent of the team’s games since joining in 2019.

Other factors have played a part; Butler has voiced his discontent regarding what he perceives as his altered role within the Heat’s offensive strategy. He has refrained from participating in the customary introductions of the Heat’s starting lineup over the last three games and at times has distanced himself during timeouts, remaining disengaged from the bench discussions.

“A lot has been said by everyone else, except me, to be honest,” Butler remarked following his first game back after the suspension. “We’ll let others keep talking. … The complete truth will eventually come to light.”

This latest twist in the Butler-Heat narrative followed Phoenix’s recent acquisition of three first-round draft picks from Utah, which they are expected to use in another trade — likely involving Butler coming to them. However, such a deal for Butler could be complex for the Suns and might involve multiple teams to fit all pieces together.

The speculation around Butler’s trade has been ongoing for weeks, and interestingly, his hairstyle during some games in December coincidentally matched the primary colours of the Suns, Mavericks, Warriors, and Rockets — all teams frequently linked as potential trade partners with Miami.

In addition, Butler sported orange-toned shoes for Tuesday’s game against Portland, perfectly aligning with the Suns’ colour scheme.