The Miami Warmth and Jimmy Butler are obviously headed toward a breakup, and on Friday night, the Warmth escalated things with their disgruntled star. The team announced that Butler, who made it clear Thursday night that he does not believe he would enjoy playing basketball in Miami, will be suspended for the next seven games.
“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 in recent weeks,” the team said. in a statement. “Through his actions and statements he has shown that 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 groundwork for this was laid in the offseason, when Warmth executive Pat Riley made it clear that the team wasn’t just planning to give Butler an extension even though he can hit unrestricted free agency this summer. As Butler began the season with the team, rumors began to surface that he wanted a trade to one of the few teams if the Warmth could work something out.
That went to another level on Christmas Day, when a report came out that Butler wanted a trade before the deadline. This led Pat Riley to put his name on a statement indicating that the team was not going to move Butler, but in recent days, Butler was benched at the end of a game on Wednesday (which, according to Erik Spoelstra , had more to do with his return to action after an illness), then made some increasingly intense comments after a Thursday game that came to light just before a report saying he’s open to a trade at any time. place.
