For the 119th time since the arrival of Jimmy Butler in Miami, the Heat find themselves playing without their star player.
MIAMI — This game was different from any previous one where Butler was absent; this time, his departure seems more permanent.
Butler has been sidelined for seven games due to a suspension for what the franchise called conduct detrimental to the team. The Heat also expressed their willingness to accommodate Butler’s transfer request, indicating that he may no longer represent Miami in the future. The suspension began during Saturday’s game against the Utah Jazz, and reality is gradually starting to set in for the team.
“It’s disheartening to see such a disconnect between the organization and a valuable player like Jimmy,” Heat captain Bam Adebayo said after Saturday’s warmup. “But we have our own mission to accomplish now: to secure victories.
Publicly, Butler has refrained from commenting on the suspension. However, the Professional Basketball Players Association expressed support for him, calling the Heat’s actions “excessive and inappropriate.” This suspension could cost Butler approximately $2.4 million of his hefty $48.8 million salary this season.
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“What happens next is out of our control,” Adebayo remarked. “This is a matter to be resolved between Jimmy and management.
In Butler’s absence, the Heat unveiled a new starting lineup, with Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro, Haywood Highsmith, Nikola Jovic and Adebayo. The consequences of Butler’s departure were evident in the locker room; his belongings remained intact: shower sandals abandoned under his seat, a few hanging objects, and several notes still attached to the wall. The moment to empty his locker is inevitable, but for the moment, his presence still looms.
“Our attention now focuses on the challenges ahead tonight,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said earlier in the day. “I aim to eliminate all distractions. We have clarity about our situation; the focus now needs to be on our team. That’s where we need to direct our energy, and I don’t plan to give in to sensationalism. We have a match to win.
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The Jazz are set to face Miami twice during Butler’s suspension, with the Heat traveling to Salt Lake City in a few days. Jazz coach Will Hardy is well aware that Miami’s competitive spirit won’t diminish just because Butler is on the sidelines.
“The Heat maintain an unwavering consistency in their competitiveness. No matter who is on the court, you can expect a tough, intense fight for the full 48 minutes,” Hardy observed, acknowledging Spoelstra’s lasting impact on the mentality of the team.
Facilitating a trade for Butler within the NBA’s salary cap restrictions presents a considerable challenge. Although possible, it is not guaranteed. Alternatively, allowing Butler to leave as a free agent this summer could potentially open the door for Miami to explore other player acquisition options ahead of next season.
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“It’s hard knowing he won’t be with us anymore,” Rozier commented on the situation.
Throughout his time with the Heat, Butler averaged 21.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 380 games, including the playoffs. Since joining the team, Miami’s winning rate stands at an impressive 59.7% with Butler on the court (227-153). On the other hand, the team’s performance in his absence saw a significant drop to 49.2% (58-60).
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This summer, Butler became eligible for a two-year, $113 million contract extension, which the Heat notably declined, in part because of his tendency to miss about a quarter of the games during his time in Miami. Not surprisingly, the lack of extension has led to discontent, and tensions came to a head this past week. Butler notably did not play in the fourth quarters in previous games, often relegated to standing in the corner with minimal involvement in the offense.
“It looked like he was ready to contribute, but things didn’t go as planned,” Adebayo mused. “No player wants to feel left out, and I know he didn’t want to be a mere spectator. We had to find a way to include everyone in our game. But now, after the revelations of yesterday our attention shifts to the players we currently have.
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After one of those recent games, Butler responded with a simple “probably not” when asked if he could find joy on the court in Miami — those two words could well mark his final statement as a member of the Heat. A week prior, Miami had no intention of transferring Butler, but his admission of displeasure obviously shook up the dynamic.
