Heat accused of threatening to suspend Jimmy Butler for low effort after Pelicans game, Miami denies rumor

Hours before Butler’s fiery postgame news conference on Thursday, there was a conversation between Heat officials and Butler’s representation, according to league sources. Butler was bothered after the discussion because Butler and his agent perceived that Heat officials were implying that Butler didn’t play his hardest in the Heat’s home win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday. Butler scored nine points on five shots and did not play in the fourth quarter of that contest in his first game after a five-game absence stemming from an illness. But the Heat contends that it was a more macro level discussion regarding the team’s concern over Butler’s behavior in recent weeks since the trade noise has grown louder. Butler’s camp left that Thursday conversation with the perception that the Heat was considering suspending him for his effort in Wednesday’s victory over the Pelicans, but the Heat insists it never threatened Butler with a suspension for that reason. -via Miami Herald / January 3, 2025

Barry Jackson: Also a he said/he said regarding whether Heat told Butler he didn’t give enough effort vs. Pelicans. Jimmy Butler perceived he was told that, which has been cast as last straw. Heat indicated it said no such thing. -via x.com / January 3, 2025

Two other scenarios now seem out of the question — Miami relenting and giving him a max salary in 2026-27 or the sides reaching a compromise deal. Butler is angry that the Heat didn’t offer him a max extension, and the Heat is angry how he has handled this. So a compromise seems unrealistic. Butler has informed the Heat that he’ll accept whatever the team decides to do next, whether it’s a trade to any of the 29 other NBA teams or play out the rest of the season in Miami, according to league sources. -via Miami Herald / January 3, 2025