Jimmy Butler Expected to Play for Miami Against Denver Nuggets Despite Trade Request
Jimmy Butler is expected to play for the Miami Heat against the Denver Nuggets on Friday, his first game since the team confirmed that he wants a trade and is trying to accommodate his request. Butler was suspended by the Heat for their last seven games, citing conduct detrimental to the team. The team went 3-4 during his suspension.
The Heat did not list Butler on their injury report for the game against the Nuggets, indicating that they expect him to play. Butler was not with the team on their recent six-game road trip and did not practice with the team on Thursday. He is expected to meet with some team officials and coach Erik Spoelstra before the game.
Butler has expressed frustration with his role on the team and said he has lost his on-court “joy” in Miami. He wants to get his joy back and help the team win, but the relationship between Butler and the Heat has never been worse. The team has been engaging in trade talks, but trading Butler is complicated due to new rules in the collective bargaining agreement.
Butler is making nearly $49 million this season and has an option to make $52 million next season. He is averaging 17.6 points this season, his lowest average since his third season in the NBA. However, he is shooting a career-best 55% this season. Butler was the best player on two Heat teams that went to the NBA Finals and was eligible for a two-year, $113 million extension starting last summer. The relationship between Butler and the Heat soured when that deal was not offered to him.
