Precedent for Miami suspending Jimmy Butler?

[YourFriendGannon]

Butler was suspended for 7 games by the team at the start of 2025 and then 7 more games later on before being traded. It seems to me that usually in these kinds of situations where a player wishes to be traded by a team and can't coexist, the player and team will mutually agree for the player to not participate with the team until something is worked out.

Why was suspension the course of action here and have there been precedents for extended suspensions of this variety, especially in the modern NBA? I feel like I'm missing something obvious. Like did Butler essentially consent to being suspended or something? Are teams required to always pay a player unless they suspend him, is that relevant here?

 

[DJ Fieri]

Breaking news?

He was traded to the Warriors....way after Miami suspended him.

 

[logic]

Butler was suspended for 7 games by the team at the start of 2025 and then 7 more games later on before being traded. It seems to me that usually in these kinds of situations where a player wishes to be traded by a team and can't coexist, the player and team will mutually agree for the player to not participate with the team until something is worked out.

Why was suspension the course of action here and have there been precedents for extended suspensions of this variety, especially in the modern NBA? I feel like I'm missing something obvious. Like did Butler essentially consent to being suspended or something? Are teams required to always pay a player unless they suspend him, is that relevant here?

I believe it was for conduct detrimental to the team when he stormed out of practice when told he would not be starting. Suspensions for conduct detrimental to a team are not that unusual.

 

[tlance]

Butler was suspended for 7 games by the team at the start of 2025 and then 7 more games later on before being traded. It seems to me that usually in these kinds of situations where a player wishes to be traded by a team and can't coexist, the player and team will mutually agree for the player to not participate with the team until something is worked out.

Why was suspension the course of action here and have there been precedents for extended suspensions of this variety, especially in the modern NBA? I feel like I'm missing something obvious. Like did Butler essentially consent to being suspended or something? Are teams required to always pay a player unless they suspend him, is that relevant here?

He decided he was done with Miami. And he stopped communicating with the team. He was missing stuff and showing up late.

An engaged Jimmy Butler is a tremendous asset. But Jimmy wanting out of town is an anchor. Can’t have that energy in the locker room.

 

[YourFriendGannon]

I believe it was for conduct detrimental to the team when he stormed out of practice when told he would not be starting. Suspensions for conduct detrimental to a team are not that unusual.

Right, that's not an uncommon type of suspension. The distinction I'm making and precedent I'm asking about is suspension length, that he was suspended over 10 games rather than a 1 or 2 game suspension.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Right, that's not an uncommon type of suspension. The distinction I'm making and precedent I'm asking about is suspension length, that he was suspended over 10 games rather than a 1 or 2 game suspension.

I guess it depends on the details around the situation. If this was strike three, four or five and they gave him multiple warnings then a suspension for more than 1-2 games was warranted. I don't think every case will be handled the same, if he had multiple violations than they came up with the 7. Then he got another 7 bc he was basically doing it all season or reverting back to his old ways. I don't think it matters either way he was a negative energy for the locker room so the team can decide, he was at fault.

 

[thunderc]

The fact that the players union hasn’t said anything shows they know he was in the wrong. No team should have ever signed him again after that.

 

[Wamu]

Jimmy is a bitch for quitting on the Heat.

 

[logic]

Jimmy is a bitch for quitting on the Heat.

How dare you!

 

[msgkings322]

The fact that the players union hasn’t said anything shows they know he was in the wrong. No team should have ever signed him again after that.

LOL you're so dumb when it comes to this stuff. Or rather, such a church lady.

He's not the first or the last star to force his way out of one team and then play well for a new one.

 

[thunderc]

LOL you're so dumb when it comes to this stuff. Or rather, such a church lady.

He's not the first or the last star to force his way out of one team and then play well for a new one.

Yup, until he doesn’t. Just a matter of time.

 

[Gman]

Seemed like Jimmy asked for what he got... I don't think he has or would disagree, nor has he complained about it.

 

[msgkings322]

Yup, until he doesn’t. Just a matter of time.

He'll be fine for the 2 1/3 years he's signed for, they gave him his bag and he's a winner. Looks great so far.

Church ladies gonna church lady

 

[thunderc]

He'll be fine for the 2 1/3 years he's signed for, they gave him his bag and he's a winner. Looks great so far.

Church ladies gonna church lady

Calling a guy a winner that is now what, a 3 time loser, seems a bit rich to me but ok.

 

[msgkings322]

Calling a guy a winner that is now what, a 3 time loser, seems a bit rich to me but ok.

Yeah no such thing as Playoff Jimmy lol

 

[Gman]

I kinda get where @thunderc is coming from... as a general rule, a guy that quits on multiple teams is a b!tch, more trouble than they're worth, and a bad bet.

But Jimmy Butler is the exception to the rule.

Doesn't excuse his behavior... but he's worth putting up with it where almost anyone else wouldn't be.

 

[tlance]

I kinda get where @thunderc is coming from... as a general rule, a guy that quits on multiple teams is a b!tch, more trouble than they're worth, and a bad bet.

But Jimmy Butler is the exception to the rule.

Doesn't excuse his behavior... but he's worth putting up with it where almost anyone else wouldn't be.

Also…

What were the other options for the Dubs?

Just sit back and watch the Curry era end with a whimper?

Got to take a risk. Upside far greater than the downside for a team headed nowhere.

 

[bksballer89]

The fact that the players union hasn’t said anything shows they know he was in the wrong. No team should have ever signed him again after that.

They did say something

 

[thunderc]

They did say something

Akready gone away?

 

[bksballer89]

Yeah no such thing as Playoff Jimmy lol

The problem with the playoffs Jimmy thing is its only a thing because of his nonchalant don't give a fuck approach to the game October through April. There is a reason we don't hear Playoffs Bron, Playoffs KD, Playoffs Steph, or etc because those guys take the regular season seriously