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.