The Miami Heat have suspended star small forward Jimmy Butler for seven games, the team announced Friday, saying it will listen to trade offers.
The Heat said in the X-Post that Butler’s suspension was due to conduct that negatively impacted the team throughout the season.
“Jimmy Butler has been suspended for seven games for multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team during the season, particularly in recent weeks,” the team said in a statement.
Butler’s representatives did not respond to a request for comment Friday night.
The suspension came a day after Butler announced his intention to leave the team he led to two NBA Finals.
Butler said Thursday night that he missed the joy of playing in Miami.
“I want to see me get my joy back in playing basketball, wherever that may be, and you’ll see it here soon,” he told reporters. “Off the court I’m happy, but I want to get back to some dominant form, I want to play hoops, I want to help the team win, and I’m not doing that right now.”
Asked if he could bring joy back to the court with the Heat, Butler said, “Probably not.”
The six-time All-Star’s comments came after the Heat lost 128-115 to the Indiana Pacers, in which Butler scored just nine points. He also scored just nine points the previous day against the New Orleans Pelicans.
ESPN reported late Thursday that Butler had “indicated to the Miami Heat that he wanted the team to trade him,” citing league sources. NBC News has not independently verified the report.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra attributed part of the series of lackluster performances to Butler’s two-week absence due to illness.
But his comments about having fun come amid a deteriorating relationship with team management that has fueled weeks of speculation.
On Christmas Day, ESPN reported that Butler wanted to be traded before the Feb. 6 deadline. In response, Heat president Pat Riley issued a rare statement: “To be clear, we have no intention of trading Jimmy Butler.”
However, the Heat said in a post Friday that Butler and his agent have indicated they would like to be traded and will listen to offers.
The Heat stated, “Through his actions and words, he has shown that he no longer wants to be a part of this team.”
The Heat decided not to offer Butler a new contract until the 2024-25 season, when he is eligible for a two-year, $113 million contract extension.
Butler missed the Heat’s first round playoff series last season due to a knee injury. After his team lost to the Boston Celtics, Butler said on social media that if he had been healthy, his team would have won the series.
“If you’re not playing on the court, you should shut up,” Riley responded.
ESPN sources say Butler has indicated he would be open to playing somewhere other than Miami next.
The 35-year-old, known for his combative two-way style and clutch playoff scoring, is in the final year of a $49 million contract and could become a free agent in July.
