Jimmy Butler’s seven-game suspension ends on Thursday, one day before he is scheduled to return to action for the Miami Heat. The 35-year-old forward reportedly told team president Pat Riley that he still wants to be traded and has no interest in signing a contract extension.
Butler, who is in his final year of a $49 million contract, has been critical of his role with the Heat, saying he wants to regain his “joy from playing basketball” and help the team win. The Heat had previously stated they were not trading him, but Butler’s recent comments suggest otherwise.
The suspension was handed down after Butler was involved in an incident deemed “conduct detrimental to the team.” However, the NBA Players Association has called the discipline “excessive and inappropriate.”
With his salary cap clearance due in July 2025, Butler is expected to use his $52 million player option to help facilitate a trade. The Heat are currently in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with a 20-18 record, having gone 3-3 without Butler.
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/jimmy-butler-reportedly-wont-seek-extension-with-heat-still-wants-to-be-traded-175131831.html