Report: Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat restart chaotic beef, leading to star forward indefinite suspension

The Miami Heat are suspending guard Jimmy Butler indefinitely, Shams Charania of ESPN reported Monday.

The Heat previously suspended him seven games for conduct the team deemed detrimental followed by a two-game suspension for missing a team flight to Milwaukee last week. His latest suspension is for at least the next five games.

Butler had been expected to come back from his second suspension for the team’s home contest against the Orlando Magic on Monday. But then came Miami’s morning shootaround, where Butler walked out after being informed the team would not be starting him moving forward. Butler hasn’t come off the bench in a game since Jan. 27, 2017, while a member of the Chicago Bulls, per Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. Butler has missed 14 of Miami’s last 19 games — nine of the last 12 because of the suspensions.

Jimmy Butler seeking trade away from Miami Heat

The first suspension came after Butler requested a trade away from the NBA franchise. Miami issued the following statement on Jan. 3: “Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team. Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, therefore, we will listen to offers.”

The issue stems from this past offseason, where Butler was eligible for a two-year, $113 million extension. Team president Pat Riley did not extend the offer, citing Butler’s availability — or lack thereof during his tenure in Miami. Entering the 2024-25 season, Butler had missed 100 regular season games in five seasons with the Heat. Butler suffered a knee injury during last year’s play-in tournament and missed the Round 1 playoff loss to the Boston Celtics.

“Butler told Riley that he will not sign a new deal in Miami and that he intends to use his $52 million player option for 2025-26 in the offseason only as a trade maneuver,” Charania reported earlier this month.

The NBA’s trade deadline is Feb. 6. With only five games on Miami’s schedule until then, it’s increasingly likely Butler has put on a Heat jersey for the final time. Butler, 35, has led the Heat to a pair of NBA Finals appearances, making two All-Star teams. In 25 games this season, he’s averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.

The Heat are 22-22 and currently occupy the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference.