The Miami Heat are set to visit the Delta Center on Thursday evening to take on the Utah Jazz in their fourth game since the absence of All-Star Jimmy Butler.
Butler was suspended by Miami last Friday for a total of seven games, with the team citing “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team” as the reason for the disciplinary action. This suspension is scheduled to last until the conclusion of the Heat’s road trip on January 15, and according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, it is anticipated that their star player will return to the lineup.
Amick reported, “While trades can always materialize quickly in the Association, team sources say Miami is prepared to take its time with a Butler trade to maximize its return. This was the messaging shared internally after Butler was suspended seven games by the team on Friday for ‘conduct detrimental to the team,’ and before the Heat embarked on a six-game, 10-day road trip that continues with a game at Utah on Thursday night.”
In light of Butler’s trade request and subsequent suspension, team officials conveyed to Heat players that the likely next step would involve the 35-year-old, six-time All-Star returning to the court after serving his suspension.
The Miami Heat announced Butler’s suspension on Friday, following their 128-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Following the game, Butler voiced his dissatisfaction with his circumstances during postgame interviews.
“What do I want to see happen? I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball, wherever that may be — we’ll find out here pretty soon,” Butler stated after Thursday’s game. “I want to get my joy back. I’m happy here, off the court, but I want to be back to somewhere dominant. I want to hoop and I want to help this team win. Right now, I’m not doing that.”
When questioned about the possibility of finding that joy in Miami, he simply replied, “Probably not.”
