Jimmy Butler Suspended At Least 5 Games by Heat After Walking Out of Practice

The latest chapter of the ongoing saga between the Miami Heat and star forward Jimmy Butler has reached a new low.

The Heat announced that they are suspending Butler indefinitely for no fewer than five games.

"The suspension is due to a continued pattern of disregard of team rules, engaging in conduct detrimental to the team and intentionally withholding services," the team stated. "This includes walking out of practice earlier today."

ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Butler walked out of Monday morning's shootaround after being told he was being replaced in the starting lineup by Haywood Highsmith.

ESPN's Bobby Marks explained that Butler will be taking a major financial hit based on Miami's designation for his suspension:

Butler was expected to make his return from a two-game suspension in Monday's game against the Orlando Magic. This marks the third time this month alone that the Heat resorted to suspending him, as he also served a seven-game suspension earlier in January.

The 35-year-old has made it clear that he wants to be traded from Miami before the Feb. 6 deadline. However, finding a suitor has proved difficult thanks to his hefty $48.8 million salary for this season as well as his intentions to test free agency at the end of the year. Butler has also done little to make himself an attractive trade target amid his rift with the Heat.

In 25 games this season, Butler has averaged just 17.0 points, his lowest mark since his third season in the NBA in 2013-14. The Heat deemed his conduct to be detrimental to the team when they levied the first suspension, and they said his second suspension was for "insubordinate conduct and conduct detrimental to the team, including missing" a team flight to Milwaukee for a game against the Bucks.

With Butler in and out of the lineup, Miami ranks eighth in the Eastern Conference with a 22-22 record. Shooting guard Tyler Herro has emerged as the team's primary option and leads the Heat with 24.0 points and 5.2 assists per game.

Miami has just a few days left before the 2025 trade deadline, but it's clear that there's no future for Butler in South Beach.