Despite Jimmy Butler’s trade request, he’s back in Miami – for now.
The Heat forward was suspended for seven games due to conduct detrimental to the team and is now back in the starting lineup for Miami against the Nuggets in a 2023 NBA Finals rematch Friday evening.
Bernie Lee, Butler’s agent, issued a press release about X similar to Michael Jordan’s famous “I’m back” declaration, which ended his first NBA retirement in 1995.
Building on the Jordan – or troll – theme, Butler posted photos to his Instagram Story wearing the Jordan No. 45 Bulls uniform.
Butler, who played with the Bulls from 2011 to 2017, reprized the jersey Jordan wore upon his return to the NBA in 1995, which he wore before returning in the iconic 23.
Butler last played for the Heat on January 2 in a blowout loss to the Pacers, where he scored just nine points for a second straight game.
Rumors and reports were circulating that he had become unhappy with the lack of a new contract with the Heat and was potentially considering a trade.
After the competition, he addressed the overall situation, publicly stating that he wanted a new home.
“I want to see myself get the joy of playing basketball back, and wherever that happens, we’ll find out here pretty soon,” Butler said. “I’m happy here off the pitch, but I want to get back to a dominant place. I want to play hoops and I want to help this team win. At the moment, I’m not doing that.
When asked by a reporter if he could get his “joy” back on the field, Butler replied, “probably not.”
Earlier Friday, a report from ESPN suggested that people close to the situation may not want him back at all, but alas, he’s back in uniform for Miami.
Neither Butler nor his agent have publicly rescinded their trade request, and no reports have suggested that much has changed beyond the six-time All-Star returning from suspension.
Butler remains on a $49 million contract this season with a $52.4 million player option next season, which is difficult to move within the confines of the current NBA collective bargaining agreement.
