Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler has requested a trade from the team.
After being away from the team with an illness, Butler returned to the court on Jan. 1 against the New Orleans Pelicans and went on to feature in the team’s next game against the Indiana Pacers a day later. However, Butler only recorded nine points in 27 minutes of play and did not feature for the entire fourth quarter. When he was asked about his reduced role, Butler said that he was not happy on the court and that could not be solved in Miami.
Following Butler’s comments, the Heat suspended him for seven games due to conduct detrimental to the team. The team also stated that they were willing to listen to trade offers for the six-time All-Star. This could lead to an awkward return for Butler to play for the Heat on Jan. 17 at home against the Denver Nuggets or a trade.
The frustration began last summer when Butler did not receive an extension from the Heat after becoming eligible for one. The team’s main reason for not giving one was the large portion of regular season games missed by Butler during his five and a half seasons with the team.
If a team were to acquire Butler, they would have to receive assurances from Butler and his agent that he would have interest in signing a two-year, $121 million extension. The one team Butler has shown interest in is the Phoenix Suns, a franchise that is looking for a player that can push them towards the playoffs.
Despite Butler’s desire to join the Suns, the financial obstacles are preventing an imminent trade from happening. The main one is the contract of guard Bradley Beal, who has a no-trade clause that can allow him to choose which team he wants to play for. Unless the Suns are able to find a team Beal is willing to go to, they will be unable to bring Butler out west. As a result, Butler will likely be stuck in Miami for the foreseeable future.
https://www.nba.com/news/heat-suspend-jimmy-butler-7-games
