For the second time in two weeks, the Miami Heat are gearing up to bring back Jimmy Butler after another suspension.
Butler was not on the injury report for Monday’s home game against the Orlando Magic, and he should be made available unless something changed between now and the 7:30 p.m. ET tip.
Still, it’s unclear if he’ll actually hit the court on Monday.
After his first suspension, Butler played three, low-effort games. He averaged which included losses to Denver and Portland and one win over San Antonio.
Butler served his first, seven-game suspension for what the team called “conduct detrimental to the team.” This latest suspension was for two games due to repeatedly ignoring team rules and missing a flight to Milwaukee.
The Heat has decided not to send Butler home while still paying him. That said, the suspensions have cost him quite a bit: around $2.4 million for the first one and about $700,000 for the second.
Butler requested a trade earlier this month and reportedly prefers to be dealt to the Phoenix Suns. The Heat are still trying to honor Butler’s trade request before the Feb. 6 deadline.
