Photo: Getty Images
The Miami Heat are reportedly suspending All-Star small forward Jimmy Butler after he was informed of being benched and walked out of the team's shootaround Monday (January 27) morning, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to ESPN's Shams Charania.
"The Miami Heat are suspending Jimmy Butler indefinitely, sources tell ESPN," Charania wrote on his X account. "Jimmy Butler walked out of Heat shootaround this morning after being informed the team is planning not to start him -- with Haywood Highsmith starting -- moving forward, sources tell ESPN."
Butler had previously missed nine of the Heat's last 12 games while serving a pair of suspensions, which includes Miami's last two games for missing a team flight, which the team called "insubordinate conduct and conduct detrimental to the team." The former All-Star was set to return for Monday night's game against the Orlando Magic, but reportedly walked out of the team's shootaround after being notified that he would be coming off the bench moving forward.
Butler had publicly requested a trade and the Heat claimed to be working on a deal ahead of the February 6 deadline after team president Pat Riley said the franchise had no plans to trade Butler despite the reported request. Miami is currently 22-22 and eighth in the Eastern Conference while Butler is averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.