The Miami Heat will suspend Jimmy Butler for their next two games after he missed the team’s flight, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday. This is the second time he has been suspended this month.
Butler reportedly planned to join Miami on its two-game road trip to Milwaukee and Brooklyn, but will instead stay home amid swirling trade rumors.
Miami suspended Butler for seven games in early January for conduct detrimental to the team after he said he didn’t think he could find joy playing for the Heat.
The suspension surfaces a day after the Phoenix Suns, who have been linked to Butler for more than a month as one of his preferred trade destinations, made a trade for more draft picks.
The Suns dealt their unprotected 2031 first-round pick to the Utah Jazz for three lower-priority first-rounders, giving the front office more flexibility to make deals whether they include Butler or not.
A trade from Butler to Phoenix would likely include more than two teams participating.
The trade deadline is Feb. 6, and Butler and Miami’s relationship continues to deteriorate after the Heat opted not to extend him last summer.
Butler is in the final year of his contract and has a $52.4 million player option for next year.
The Suns, meanwhile, are at .500 with a 21-21 record heading into Wednesday’s game against the lowly Nets.
