Jimmy Butler: The Miami Heat suspend the forward for the second time in three weeks

CNN
—

The Miami Heat have suspended forward Jimmy Butler for the second time in three weeks — this time for missing a team flight — the franchise announced Wednesday.

“We have suspended Jimmy Butler for two games for a continued pattern of violation of team rules, disorderly conduct and conduct detrimental to the team, including missing today’s team flight to Milwaukee,” the Heat said in a statement sent to X.

The Miami forward and six-time NBA All-Star had only just returned to the lineup on Friday following a seven-game suspension for “several instances of conduct detrimental to the team throughout the season and especially the last several weeks.”

That suspension came after Butler indicated he would like to be traded by the Heat, saying in a press conference, “I want my joy back.”

Along with the announcement of Butler’s initial suspension, the team said it would consider trade offers for the 14-year veteran.

After speaking after the Heat’s 128-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Jan. 2, Butler was asked if he’ll be able to find that joy in Miami.

“Probably not,” he replied.

Since the end of the first seven games suspended, he has played in each of the Heat’s last three games and on Tuesday appeared to give a nod to trade rumors about a move to Phoenix, which showed in the team’s 116-107 loss to Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday in a pair of Suns-themed colorways.

This, along with the latest suspension, suggests he still wants out of Miami before the Feb. 6 trade deadline.

The Suns are at the top of Butler’s preferred destinations, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.

“Jimmy’s number one focus is to be traded, preferably to the Phoenix Suns. Everything else is secondary,” Windhorst continued The Hoop Collective podcast on Monday.