Heat release statement following Jimmy Butler’s indefinite suspension announcement
The Miami Heat indefinitely suspended Jimmy Butler on Monday afternoon after it was revealed that the 35-year-old superstar forward reportedly walked out of a team practice.
The six-time All-Star and five-time All-Defensive Team selection has been making constant remarks regarding his unhappiness as a member of the franchise and his burning desire to be traded from the organization to a contender in recent weeks.
Following the announcement of Butler’s suspension, the Heat released a formal statement centered around his negative actions.
“The Miami HEAT are suspending Jimmy Butler without pay effective immediately for an indefinite period to last no fewer than five games,” the franchise shared via Twitter/X on Monday afternoon.
“The suspension is due to a continued pattern of disregard of team rules, engaging in conduct detrimental to the team and intentionally withholding services. This includes walking out of practice earlier today.”
Butler had previously been suspended on two separate occasions prior to his indefinite shelving. The two-way star was shunned on Jan. 3 for a seven game span, and his latest two-game suspension was handed out due to missing a team flight.
With the Heat deeply entrenched in Butler trade drama, the organization decided to remove the forward from the lineup for at least five games in order to focus solely on completing a transaction and ending his otherwise memorable and entertaining tenure with the team.
Butler had led the Heat to two NBA Finals appearances this decade while offering classic postseason outings. The accomplished star earned recognition as one of the league’s best playoff performers in recent history for his heroic efforts in both the 2020 and 2023 NBA Playoffs.
