NBA Southeast

The latest chapter of the ongoing saga between the Miami Heat and star forward Jimmy Butler has reached a new low.

The Heat announced that they are suspending Butler indefinitely for no fewer than five games.

"The suspension is due to a continued pattern of disregard of team rules, engaging in conduct detrimental to the team and intentionally withholding services," the team stated. "This includes walking out of practice earlier today."

ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Butler walked out of Monday morning's shootaround after being told he was being replaced in the starting lineup by Haywood Highsmith.

ESPN's Bobby Marks explained that Butler will be taking a major financial hit based on Miami's designation for his suspension:

Failure to render services: $532,737 per game

Conduct detrimental to the team: $336,543 per game https://t.co/H1dx97otp7

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) January 27, 2025

Butler was expected to make his return from a two-game suspension in Monday's game against the Orlando Magic. This marks the third time this month alone that the Heat resorted to suspending him, as he also served a seven-game suspension earlier in January.

The 35-year-old has made it clear that he wants to be traded from Miami before the Feb. 6 deadline. However, finding a suitor has proved difficult thanks to his hefty $48.8 million salary for this season as well as his intentions to test free agency at the end of the year. Butler has also done little to make himself an attractive trade target amid his rift with the Heat.

In 25 games this season, Butler has averaged just 17.0 points, his lowest mark since his third season in the NBA in 2013-14. The Heat deemed his conduct to be detrimental to the team when they levied the first suspension, and they said his second suspension was for "insubordinate conduct and conduct detrimental to the team, including missing" a team flight to Milwaukee for a game against the Bucks.

With Butler in and out of the lineup, Miami ranks eighth in the Eastern Conference with a 22-22 record. Shooting guard Tyler Herro has emerged as the team's primary option and leads the Heat with 24.0 points and 5.2 assists per game.

Miami has just a few days left before the 2025 trade deadline, but it's clear that there's no future for Butler in South Beach.

As the NBA trade deadline nears, Kyle Kuzma is reportedly getting impatient with the rebuilding Washington Wizards.

Per The Athletic's Josh Robbins, "all indications are that Kuzma is less patient now with the Wizards' direction" than he was a season ago.

According to Robbins, Monumental Basketball president Michael Winger asked Kuzma how he felt about being traded last year when the Wizards received an offer from the Dallas Mavericks, and Kuzma said he'd preferred to stay in Washington.

When asked about being traded recently, Kuzma seemed somewhat open to it.

"We'll see how it goes. I don't know. I didn't think last year was the right time (for a trade) after signing the deal (a four-year contract in 2023)," Kuzma said, per Robbins. "That was kind of more of a last-year thing. I haven't had conversations (with Wizards management). I haven't even talked about the deadline, haven't talked about being traded. So, this is really the first time I'm really talking about it."

Kuzma had a career season last year, putting up 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. He's struggled a bit this year while dealing with injuries, averaging 14.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.

While his numbers aren't as good as last season's, there are likely a handful of playoff contenders that would welcome him in a trade.

The Wizards have missed the playoffs in each of the last three seasons and are on pace for one of their worst seasons in franchise history this year. Their 6-38 record is the worst in the league and a postseason push would take nothing short of a miracle.

Kuzma, now 29, has reached the playoffs just twice in his career. While he already has a championship ring, winning with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, he's likely ready to compete for another title, and it seems that won't be happening in Washington any time soon.

The Miami Heat are still "patiently waiting for the best possible offer" for disgruntled star Jimmy Butler, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

Butler was absent as Miami beat the Brooklyn Nets 106-97 on Saturday night while finishing the second game of the newest suspension issued by the team.

The six-time All-Star used his night off to attend a local padel event. He was naturally asked about his future with the Heat and sidestepped the questions, choosing instead to speak positively about the city.

Jimmy Butler at Padel event. Says he loves the city of Miami. Wont address questions about the Heat or bball. pic.twitter.com/LKrLZa0P5B

— Clay Ferraro (@ClayWPLG) January 25, 2025

Jimmy Butler didn’t answer specific questions tonight on his suspension or his Heat future, but he did tell officials at Padel tournament on Miami Beach:

“I love this city with everything that I have.” pic.twitter.com/aGfez8nJAV

— Will Manso (@WillManso) January 25, 2025

For now, it doesn't appear the Heat are any closer to a trade than they were when Butler first started to register his discontent. ESPN's Brian Windhorst laid out Miami's problem when he said Jan. 7 on First Take that interested suitors simply aren't that motivated to be aggressive in negotiations:

"Jimmy Butler isn't going to extend with any team. And so, because teams know that, they're offering the Heat right now the poo-poo platter. There's only one team that is ready to pay Jimmy Butler exactly what he wants, and that's the Phoenix Suns."

—@WindhorstESPN pic.twitter.com/q8LZLPOFOV

— First Take (@FirstTake) January 7, 2025

Miami, for its part, hasn't reached the point where it will settle for the best deal on the table.

Windhorst and colleague Tim Bontemps reported Friday for ESPN that "the offers coming in haven't included what Miami is looking for: players who can help now, young talent, draft capital and salary that expires by the summer of 2026."

NBA insider Jake Fischer added the franchise is broadly "against acquiring players in exchange for Butler who have significant future money," with Phoenix Suns star Bradley Beal cited as an example. Beal makes $53.7 million next year and has a $57.1 million player option for 2026-27 that he'll almost certainly exercise.

Considering how tense the relationship between Butler and the Heat already is, the team might as well wait as long as it can up until the Feb. 6 trade deadline. At the very least, the trade offers probably aren't going to get any worse.

The million-dollar question is whether team president Pat Riley and general manager Andy Elisburg are willing to surrender if Butler's market doesn't markedly improve. Trading him away for pennies on the dollar might be better than having him for the rest of the season and going through this saga all over again in the offseason, assuming the 35-year-old picks up his player option.

For the second time this month, Jimmy Butler is gearing up for his return from a suspension.

Per the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson, Butler is expected to rejoin the Miami Heat as they face the Orlando Magic on Monday after his two-game suspension ended following Saturday's game.

The Heat suspended Butler for two games on Wednesday due to a "continued pattern of disregard of team rules, insubordinate conduct and conduct detrimental to the team, including missing today's team flight to Milwaukee."

It marked the second suspension Butler received since requesting a trade on Jan. 2. The first suspension came on Jan. 3 and was also for "conduct detrimental to the team," though it earned him a seven-game ban.

"We have suspended Jimmy Butler for seven games for multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team over the course of the season and particularly the last several weeks," the team said in a statement. "Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team."

The Heat split the recent two-game stretch without Butler, losing in blowout fashion to the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday before beating the Brooklyn Nets 106-97 on Saturday behind 25 points from Tyler Herro and 16 boards from Bam Adebayo. The Heat are 22-22 on the season, sitting in eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

Butler's time with the Heat seems limited as the veteran has made it clear he wants out. According to Jackson, Butler said at a padel tournament on Saturday that he didn't know if this weekend would be his last in Miami.

Jimmy Butler expressed his admiration for the city of Miami on Saturday despite his current request to be traded from the Heat.

"I love this city with everything that I have," Butler told reporters at a padel tournament.

Jimmy Butler didn’t answer specific questions tonight on his suspension or his Heat future, but he did tell officials at Padel tournament on Miami Beach:

“I love this city with everything that I have.” pic.twitter.com/aGfez8nJAV

— Will Manso (@WillManso) January 25, 2025

Butler is currently in the midst of a two-game suspension for missing a team flight as well as a "continued pattern of disregard of team rules, insubordinate conduct and conduct detrimental to the team."

The 35-year-old indicated to the Heat that he wanted to be traded on Jan. 2.

Butler previously served a seven-game suspension that came the day after his trade request, with the Heat citing "multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team" showing that "he no longer wants to be part of this team."

He returned to play in three games before he was given the second suspension.

Despite Butler's desire to be moved from the Heat, he's been consistent in his support of the city.

"I'm happy here off the court, but I want to be back to somewhat dominant, I want to hoop and I want to help this team win, and right now I'm not doing it," Butler told reporters on Jan. 2 (1:30 mark).

The six-time All-Star doesn't have a specific destination that he wants to be dealt to, as ESPN's Marc J. Spears reported that Butler's wishlist is "just out of Miami, with the exception of Memphis."

The Phoenix Suns appear to be a possible landing spot, with ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst reported Friday that trading for the star forward is the Suns' "top objective" and there is "motivation" from both Butler's representatives and the Heat to complete a trade.

In 25 starts this season, he's averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game on 54.0/36.1/80.1 shooting splits.

While Butler enjoys Miami, his stance on wanting a change of scenery hasn't seemed to change as the Feb. 6 trade deadline approaches.

Given the difficulties of pulling off a two-team deal for Jimmy Butler to a destination that he would approve of, the Miami Heat may be able to get some help facilitating a deal from the Toronto Raptors.

Per NBA insider Jake Fischer, one general manager said the Raptors "want to get involved" in any deal involving Butler and the Heat have shown interest in adding Bruce Brown as part of their return in a potential trade.

Butler will serve the second game of his two-game suspension on Saturday when the Heat take on the Brooklyn Nets. He was disciplined by the team for the second time in three weeks for a "continued pattern of disregard of team rules" that included missing their flight to Milwaukee for Thursday's game against the Bucks.

The Phoenix Suns have been cited as a team aggressively pursuing Butler, but their path to acquire him is complicated by several factors. Among them is a lack of trade assets to include, on top of Bradley Beal, who has a full no-trade clause, likely being the player Phoenix would send out.

ESPN's Shams Charania has said there are various scenarios being explored that could feature as many as five teams involved in whatever a final deal for Butler looks like.

Another potential issue is satisfying all of the demands the Heat want to move on from Butler. Per ESPN's Tim Bontemps, their list includes "players who can help now, young talent, draft capital and salary that expires by the summer of 2026."

Brown's contract would fit what the Heat are looking for, as he is playing on a $23 million expiring contract this season. It would also seem unlikely he finishes this season in Toronto given where the Raptors are at in the standings and focused on a long-term rebuild.

There's also usually a strong market for wing players at the trade deadline every year because contending teams always need more depth at that spot. Brown is a versatile defender who is shooting 47.0 percent from the field this season.

If the Heat fancy themselves as a playoff contender this season, even if they trade Butler, a player like Brown could help them achieve that goal. They are currently ninth in the Eastern Conference with a 21-22 record.

As the saga between Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat continues to play out publicly, there is at least some clarity on what the Heat are looking for in a potential trade involving the six-time All-Star.

Per ESPN's Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst, one of the primary objectives for the Heat is to avoid taking back long-term money so they can position themselves to land a star player in the 2026 free-agent class.

The list of players who could potentially hit free agency in the summer of 2026 includes Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaren Jackson Jr. and De'Aaron Fox.

Luka Dončić, Trae Young and Damian Lillard are among the players who could become free agents if they decline their player options.

It seems highly unlikely all of those players will make it to free agency. Gilgeous-Alexander is in an incredible position as the MVP frontrunner on an Oklahoma City Thunder team that's already loaded and still has as much future draft capital as any team in the NBA.

Free agency has largely dried up in the NBA in recent years because superstar players have figured out they can take a max deal now and then figure things out later if they become unhappy in their current situation.

Since the summer of 2019 when Durant, Butler, Kawhi Leonard and Kyrie Irving all signed with new teams, there have only been two All-Star-level players who switched clubs via free agency (Jalen Brunson in 2022 and Paul George in 2024).

George, 34, doesn't even look like an All-Star at this point in his career. His 35.5 percent success rate from three-point range this season is his worst since he was a rookie.

Bontemps did note there is "at least a possibility" of some marquee players opting to test the free-agent market in 2026 because of the new television money that will be coming into the NBA, which will help boost the salary cap.

The NBA and NBPA did agree to a deal in the new collective bargaining agreement that includes a smoothing of the cap to ease in new television money in order to avoid the situation from 2016 that allowed the Golden State Warriors to sign Durant.

Miami has had good luck in free agency when it tries to play in the deep end of that pool. The most obvious example was in 2010 when LeBron James and Chris Bosh decided to team up with Dwyane Wade. Butler was also a free agent signing in the summer of 2019.

The Heat currently have $273.5 million in allocations for the 2026-27 season, but that figure includes cap holds for Butler ($54.3 million), Terry Rozier ($40 million) and Duncan Robinson ($29.8 million) that don't figure to be a problem when the time comes to account for the cap.

With no Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat were no match for the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.

The Bucks handled the Heat 125-96 with Butler serving a two-game suspension for a "continued pattern of disregard of team rules, insubordinate conduct and conduct detrimental to the team." It's the second time Butler has been suspended since requesting a trade. The first suspension was a seven-game ban he received earlier this month, also for conduct detrimental to the team.

The one bright spot for the Heat was rookie big man Kel'el Ware, who posted 22 points and 10 boards in the loss. Tyler Herro was Miami's second-leading scorer with 21 points, but it came on an inefficient 6-of-19 from the field.

On the Bucks' side, Damian Lillard put together a big night with 29 points and 11 assists while his co-star Giannis Antetokounmpo added 25 points and 12 boards. Gary Trent Jr. was productive off the bench, scoring 21 points in the dominant win.

As Milwaukee rolled through the Heat, fans ripped Miami's decision to suspend Butler.

Jimmy Butler somewhere laughing hysterically at this Heat game

— Jdab (@JDabz87) January 24, 2025

Heat need Jimmy butler cause Tyler herro not him.

— Ualreadykno (@kvngboogie21) January 24, 2025

Tyler herro yet to score this whole quarter jimmy butler was not the problem

— richoffpicks (@richoffpickss) January 24, 2025

Jimmy butler is doing the right thing run for the hills https://t.co/ee75w60NlN

— EL Fuser (@ReVLiTHoUSe) January 24, 2025

Just so I have this timeline correct:

Tuesday - Lit up by Joe Cronin’s Blazers at home

Wednesday - Jimmy Butler suspended for a second time

Thursday - Damian Lillard catching fire late in first half to lead by 16

Idk what I’d say if you told me this last off-season

— Brady Hawk (@BradyHawk305) January 24, 2025

This team could really use a Jimmy Butler like player. lol. 😓 https://t.co/qvJRmgG9rN

— Antonio Casteele (@charlesdickns) January 24, 2025

Maybe I understand why jimmy butler wants to leave the heat now 😂

— Bob The Builder (@miniguccibear) January 24, 2025

Jimmy Butler cracking up watching this Heat Bucks game 😂😂😂

— Ok (@growinandflowin) January 24, 2025

The Heat have no identity without Jimmy Butler

— 💰Bankroll Brett🙏🏿 (@BrettGotkickz) January 24, 2025

The Miami Heat are terrible I see why Jimmy Butler wanted to go lol. This team stinks.

— Ok (@growinandflowin) January 24, 2025

At this point, it's just a waiting game for both Butler and the Heat. It's clear Butler has no interest in remaining with the team, and he's just hoping Miami will trade him soon. If and when that trade comes, the Heat will look to get a good haul in return for him and try to salvage what is left of their season.

Erik Spoelstra isn't wasting time on the drama surrounding Jimmy Butler as the Miami Heat also try to snap out of their recent funk with four losses in their last five games.

Speaking to reporters after Thursday's shootaround, Spoelstra explained his message to the team boiled down to "get over it" because this is the type of thing that can happen in the NBA.

"The point that I made to our team is get used to it," Spoelstra said. "Get over it. This is the NBA life; this is the life we chose. If you think it's going to be predictable, you're really mistaken."

Butler won't play in Thursday's matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks after the Heat announced he was suspended two games for a "continued pattern of disregard of team rules, insubordinate conduct and conduct detrimental to the team" that included missing the flight to Milwaukee.

This marks the second time in three weeks Butler has been suspended by the Heat for conduct detrimental to the team. He served a seven-game suspension that was handed down on Jan. 3

When the initial suspension was announced, the Heat also said they "will listen to offers" after Butler and his representatives made it clear he wants to be traded.

There has been no indication yet that the Heat are close to moving Butler, but the trade deadline is rapidly approaching on Feb. 6. The Phoenix Suns have been cited as his preferred destination, to the point he wore shoes with their colors during Tuesday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Jimmy Butler's shoes tonight, must be a coincidence! pic.twitter.com/W8Xd9dNZmc

— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) January 22, 2025

ESPN's Shams Charania has suggested a Butler trade could involve up to five teams, in part because the Heat want to maximize their return for a player who is still very good when he's on the court.

Bam Adebayo said on Jan. 4 that it's "disappointing" to see Butler and the Heat at odds, but the other players on the team "got to figure out how to win games."

The Heat sit in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with a 21-21 record. They've been able to make the playoffs in each of the past two seasons coming out of the play-in tournament, including a run to the NBA Finals during the 2022-23 campaign.

Butler is averaging 17.0 points on 54.0 percent shooting with 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game in 25 starts this season. His next game, assuming he doesn't get traded before the suspension ends, will be on Monday when the Heat host to the Orlando Magic.

After receiving his second multi-game suspension this month, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler's relationship with his team reportedly has deteriorated completely.

During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday, ESPN's Shams Charania painted a bleak outlook on Butler's remaining connection to the Heat.

"This relationship is over with as far as where they're at, I don't think you're gonna put the genie back in the bottle," Charania said (1:30 mark).

"There's two weeks before the NBA trade deadline but the Miami Heat have a price that hasn't been met yet..

The Heat aren't operating with tremendous urgency but they are engaging with teams" @ShamsCharania #PMSLive https://t.co/sGyQuCMlQL pic.twitter.com/m025GAx8S5

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 23, 2025

Butler requested to be traded from Miami and Charania reported earlier this week that he's "tripled down" on his request. However, he found himself in hot water over his choice to not travel with the team to Milwaukee for Thursday's game against the Bucks, which caused the Heat to suspend him for two games. It was just a few weeks ago that the team suspended him for seven games for "multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team over the course of the season."

Charania noted on Thursday that this isn't the first time Butler chose not to travel with the Heat, and he informed the team of his decision to go to Milwaukee separately. Still, Miami's choice to suspend him indicated that there's a "no tolerance policy" concerning his antics.

"Jimmy Butler told the Heat that he was gonna fly separately from the team yesterday and this has happened before..

This was the Heat in a lot of ways saying that there's a no tolerance policy right now" @ShamsCharania #PMSLive https://t.co/g1lhP3wV4E pic.twitter.com/rgAgBq9aNR

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 23, 2025

Butler's exit from Miami appears imminent, but it's hard to imagine that many teams are motivated to trade for him after seeing how things have been playing out between him and the Heat.