The Miami Heat suspended six-time All-Star forward Jimmy Butler for seven games on Friday and said they will seek to trade him.
The Heat said the suspension was for “conduct detrimental to the team over the course of the season and particularly the last several weeks.”
“Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team,” the Heat said in a statement, one day after Butler said in a postgame press conference that he does not believe he can be happy playing in Miami going forward.
Butler will lose about $336,543 per game during the suspension, or about $2,355,798 in all.
Butler, who is averaging 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 22 games this season, will not be with the team for its home game today against Utah and then the totality of a six-game road trip to Sacramento, the Warriors, Utah, Portland, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, therefore, we will listen to offers,” the Heat said.
CELTICS 109, ROCKETS 86 >> Derrick White had 23 points and Jayson Tatum and Payton Pritchard added 20 each to lead Boston to a win at Houston.
The Celtics led by 10 after three and scored the first 11 points of the fourth quarter as they pulled away for their third straight victory.
PISTONS 98, HORNETS 94 >> Tobias Harris had 24 points and 10 rebounds as Detroit held off visiting Charlotte for its fifth win in six games.
Cade Cunningham added 18 points for the Pistons, while Jalen Duren had 10 points and 14 rebounds.
Miles Bridges had 20 points for the Hornets, who have lost nine in a row.
MAGIC 106, RAPTORS 97 >> Tristan da Silva scored a career-high 25 points and Orlando overcame the loss of guard Jalen Suggs to back spasms in the second quarter to beat host Toronto.