Heat suspend disgruntled Jimmy Butler for 2 games after missing team flight: sources

Jimmy Butler will be suspended by the Miami Heat for the second time in three weeks, a person with knowledge of the decision said Wednesday, a move that adds to the possibility he has already played his final game for the franchise.

Butler drew the latest suspension — it is expected to last two games, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had yet to announce its decision — for missing the Heat's flight to Milwaukee on Wednesday. The Heat, who did not immediately comment, are scheduled to play the Bucks on Thursday and at Brooklyn on Saturday.

The earliest he could play for the Heat again is Monday, at home against Orlando.

And that would hinge on him still being on the roster, which seems far from guaranteed.

Butler told the Heat in recent weeks that he wants a trade, a demand he has not made publicly because league rules do not allow players to do so. Any player who makes such a demand known is risking a fine of up to $150,000 US.

But the Heat revealed that request when suspending him in early January for what they called conduct detrimental to the team, and said at that time that they will work to accommodate his trade request.

The NBA's trade deadline is Feb. 6.

The Heat left for Milwaukee around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday. That departure time is earlier than Miami leaves for most of its trips, and it's unclear if that was a factor for Butler on Wednesday.

The dates for the scheduled games on this Heat road trip coincide with a padel tournament in Miami, one that lists Butler as an honorary chairman and co-captain. Butler's coffee company, Big Face, is also involved with the event. But it was not known if Butler planned on being present for that event in Miami