Things have escalated quickly in the Jimmy Butler/Miami Heat saga. The franchise has made it clear that they are willing to listen to trade offers, but at the same time, they have suspended the star forward for seven games.
This sanction comes a few hours after the player said that he was unhappy in Miami and wanted to leave the Heat (17-15 record in the East) and move to another franchise.
The All-Star forward will miss Miami’s six-game road trip and the home game against the Utah Jazz and could return January 17th in the home game against the Denver Nuggets.
Eight days after Pat Riley announced the Heat are not trading Jimmy Butler, Miami announces it is open for business for all offers. https://t.co/6OdbTNSIH6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 4, 2025
Jimmy Butler is in the final year of a contract paying him $49 million this season, and he has a player option for next season for $52 million. In 2021, with one guaranteed year left on his deal, Butler extended his contract with the Heat in a similar situation. Per the report, the All-Star forward plans to decline his 2025-26 player option and become a free agent in July.
Jimmy Butler is averaging 18 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting a career-high 55.3% from the field. He has led the Miami Heat to two NBAÂ Finals and one additional Eastern Conference Finals.