The Miami Heat have suspended Jimmy Butler for two games after he missed a team flight for a road trip. The team shared the statement: “we have suspended Jimmy Butler for two games for continued pattern of disregard for team rules, insubordinate conduct and conduct detrimental to the team, including missing today’s team flight to Milwaukee.”
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Butler missed a Wednesday flight as the Heat traveled to Milwaukee for Thursday’s game against the Bucks. Butler intended to join the team for the game, but instead will be suspended for the road trip that also includes a Saturday game against the Brooklyn Nets.
The new suspension is the second of the season for Butler, amid reports that he’s demanded a trade out of Miami. The Heat previously suspended Butler on Jan. 3 for seven games, citing “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team.” Just one day prior to that suspension, Butler indicated his desire to play for another team: “I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball and wherever that may be, we’ll find out pretty soon. I want to get my joy back. 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. Right now, I’m not doing that.” In their statement announcing Butler’s seven-game suspension at the time, the Heat also announced that “we will listen to offers.”
Butler’s seven-game suspension was without pay and cost him roughly $2.4 million in salary. Butler served the suspension and returned to play in Miami’s three games since while averaging 13 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. For the season, Butler is averaging 17 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. His scoring average is his lowest since his third season in the league in 2013-14.
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