ESPN: Miami Heat to suspend indefinitely Jimmy Butler

The Jimmy Butler saga continues in Miami as the franchise, according to Shams Charania of ESPN, has decided to suspend its player for the third time. This time, the suspension is indefinite. Butler left the shootaround session on the morning of the American time zone after being informed that the team intended to bench him for the next game, instead of having him come off the bench for Haywood Highsmith. It remains to be seen if Miami will be able to find a new destination for Butler in the next ten days, with the trade deadline set for February 6.

As mentioned, this is the third time Butler has been suspended by the Miami Heat this season. The first came in early January, shortly after his trade request. "We have suspended Jimmy Butler for seven games due to multiple incidents of detrimental conduct towards the team throughout the season, and particularly in recent weeks," said the Heat in an official statement announcing that "Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated they wish to be traded, so we will listen to offers." Since then, nothing has moved, and in fact, after returning to the court, Butler was once again stopped shortly after missing a team flight. It’s worth noting that since being suspended, Butler has not been receiving his salary. The Players' Association had intervened on this matter after the first suspension.