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The Miami Heat have suspended forward Jimmy Butler indefinitely and without pay after he left practice on Monday, according to an announcement from the team.
This suspension is Butler’s third in recent weeks, following previous sanctions for missing a team flight and other actions considered harmful to the team.
In their statement, Miami explained, “The suspension results from a repeated failure to comply with team rules, engaging in behavior detrimental to the team, and deliberately withholding his services. This includes his decision to walk out of practice earlier today.”
Due to these recent suspensions, Butler has been unavailable for nine of the last twelve games for Miami. His initial suspension lasted seven games for behavior deemed detrimental by the team. After returning for three games, he received another two-game suspension for failing to board a team flight to Milwaukee last week.
As a result, Butler is set to miss at least five games leading up to the trade deadline on February 6 and risks losing $532,737 for each game missed. He has expressed a desire to be traded, and the organization is considering his options.
