Miami Heat have suspended Jimmy Butler indefinitely after he walked out of a shootaround following a decision to bench him.
The Miami Heat have suspended Jimmy Butler indefinitely, according to Shams Charania of ESPN. This marks Butler's third suspension, following previous bans of seven games and two games.
Unlike before, this suspension comes with no set timetable for his return. Miami has five games left before the February 6 trade deadline.
The suspension stems from Butler walking out of the team's shootaround this morning after being informed that he would no longer be in the starting lineup. Instead, Haywood Highsmith is expected to take his place.
Butler has requested a trade, and the Heat are working to accommodate his wishes. However, moving Butler and his $48.8 million salary for this season presents significant challenges.
The league's new collective bargaining agreement introduced stricter salary cap rules, known as "aprons," which limit the flexibility of high-spending teams in making trades.
This situation has been unfolding for nearly two months and is expected to reach a resolution -- one way or another -- within a week and a half.
The Phoenix Suns are reportedly the most likely landing spot for Butler.
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