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[Saba Sports News] Jimmy Butler’s anticipated return to the Miami Heat on Monday night has been derailed, as the team has suspended him indefinitely, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
The decision came after Butler reportedly walked out of practice on Monday morning when informed he would be coming off the bench moving forward.
The Heat had planned to start Haywood Highsmith in Butler’s place, a move that prompted Butler to leave practice and triggered the suspension.
This isn’t Butler’s first disciplinary issue with the team this season. He returned from a seven-game suspension on Jan. 17, only to face another two-game suspension shortly after for “continued disregard of team rules, insubordinate conduct, and conduct detrimental to the team,” including missing a team flight to Milwaukee.
Butler has been openly seeking a trade, pushing for a move before the Feb. 6 deadline. While Heat president Pat Riley initially stated Butler wouldn’t be traded, the team has reportedly engaged in discussions with potential suitors.
Butler’s $52 million player option for the 2025-26 season has added leverage to his demands, though he doesn’t hold a no-trade clause and has reportedly expressed disinterest in playing for at least one team eyeing him.
The situation draws parallels to Butler’s time with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2018 when he forced a trade following a contentious standoff. With tensions escalating in Miami, history may repeat itself as the Heat work toward a resolution.