The Miami Heat are suspending forward Jimmy Butler without pay for an indefinite period of time, the team announced Monday.
It’s the third time Butler has been suspended by the Heat in recent weeks and comes after he was expected to return from his second suspension Monday night against the Orlando Magic. The Heat said this current suspension will last no fewer than five games, which will take it through the NBA’s trade deadline on Feb. 6.
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The Heat were planning to have Butler come off the bench starting with Monday’s game in Orlando and moving forward. But Butler responded to the news by walking out of morning shootaround. The Heat then decided to suspend the disgruntled star indefinitely.
“The suspension is due to a continued pattern of disregard of team rules, engaging in conduct detrimental to the team and intentionally withholding services,” Miami said in its statement. “This includes walking out of practice earlier today.”
Butler has missed nine of Miami’s past 12 games entering Monday because of a pair of suspensions, the first of which was for seven games due to conduct that the Heat deemed detrimental. After returning for three games, the Heat suspended Butler again for two games after he missed a team flight to Milwaukee last week.
Butler has requested a trade, and the Heat have said they are working to find a deal.
The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 6.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
