When the Miami Heat suspended Jimmy Butler earlier this month for what they called “conduct detrimental to the team,” the organization did not offer specifics.
According to a report, the issues went beyond his lack of effort in recent games and telling reporters during a postgame media session that he did not think he’d be able to find joy on the basketball court as a member of the Heat.
Sources told NBA insider Jake Fischer that there had been multiple instances of Butler skipping morning shootarounds. He’s also insisted on private flights separate from Miami's team charter, something that the organization and teammates have grown fatigued by, in addition to his occasional on-court demeanor.
Now it's Pat Riley's front office that has shown it will no longer tolerate Butler's freestyling, announcing to the world on Jan. 3 that the six-time NBA All-Star has been suspended for "conduct detrimental to the team." Among Butler's transgressions, according to league sources, have been multiple instances of Butler skipping out on morning shootarounds altogether and insisting on private flights separate from Miami's team charter.
Butler was suspended for seven games and is set to return on Jan. 17 for Miami’ home game vs the Denver Nuggets unless the team can find a trade before then.
While a lack of a contract extension remains the core issue between Butler and the Heat, these transgressions, combined with his lack of availability last season, played a factor in Miami’s unwillingness to offer a two-year, $113 million extension last summer.
For Butler, he was reportedly bothered by the Heat allowing close teammates that were part of the 2023 Finals run – Max Strus, Gabe Vincent and Caleb Martin – to leave in free agency.
As one league source told Fischer, "Those were [Butler's] guys.”
Butler’s suspension ends this week and the Heat have said they are prepared to welcome him back to the lineup, but the situation between star player and organization remains unresolved.