NBA.
Heat suspend Butler for 7 games and seek a trade
Miami management exploded after their star's latest statements asserting he needed to leave the franchise to "get his joy back."
Butler, crestfallen after a Miami game.
Up to here. The management of the Miami Heat announced the seven-game suspension of small forward Jimmy Butler "for conduct detrimental" to the team, following the earthquake triggered by last Thursday's remarks by the franchise star asking to leave. Team officials also indicated they areopen to negotiating a trade of the six-time NBA All-Star Game call-up.
Butler stirred up the NBA after assuring last Thursday, following Miami's win over the Pelicans, that he had lost the joy of playing in the NBA and needed to leave the Heat to get it back: "I want to see me get the joy back playing basketball. Wherever it is, we'll know soon enough." These are not the only statements in which he showed his displeasure with the team, but they were the straw that broke the camel's back.
Strong and swift reaction from the Heat
The franchise's response has been forceful and swift. Just 24 hours later, and after the team's loss to Indiana, they issued the statement in which they reported their decision: "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 the last several weeks",
"Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be a part of this team. Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, therefore, we will listen to offers," he added.
Butler would return on Jan. 17 if he is not traded sooner
With this suspension, and if he is not traded sooner, Butler, who scored nine points in Friday's loss to Indiana, would not return until Jan. 17, the daythe Heat play at home against Denver. The Miami star, sixth in the Eastern Conference at 17-15, is averaging 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.7 assistsper game this season.
LATEST
