The NBA players’ association is trying to put the heat on Miami over its suspension of Jimmy Butler.
The NBPA said Friday night that it intends to fight the seven-game ban the Heat levied on the six-time All-Star, who requested a trade after claiming publicly earlier in the week that he’d “probably not” have “joy” by remaining with the team.
The Heat announced earlier Friday that they were suspending the 35-year-old Butler for “multiple instances” of “conduct detrimental to the team.”
The ban is slated to cost him $346,543 per game, or about $2.35 million of his $48.8 million salary for this season.
“The 7-game suspension imposed tonight by the Miami Heat on Jimmy Butler is excessive and inappropriate,” the NBPA posted Friday night on X. “And we intend to file a grievance challenging the discipline.”
Team president Pat Riley said in late December that the Heat had no intention of trading Butler, but they now are open to entertaining offers for the 14-year NBA veteran.
“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,” the Heat’s statement read. “Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team.
“Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, therefore, we will listen to offers.”
Butler is averaging 17.8 points per game this season, his lowest total since 2013-14.
The Heat are 17-15 entering Saturday night’s home game against the Jazz, tied with the Bucks for the fifth-best record in the Eastern Conference.
He also will miss the team’s upcoming six-game West Coast road trip.
“I want to see me getting my joy back playing basketball. Wherever that may be, we’ll find out here pretty soon,” Butler told reporters after Thursday’s loss to the Pacers. “I’m happy here off the court, but I want to be back to somewhat dominant, I want to hoop, and I want to help this team win, and right now I’m not doing it.”
Butler also has played for the Bulls, the Timberwolves and the 76ers in his career, and he was coached by Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau in Chicago and Minnesota.
