Jimmy Butler is about to close his chapter with the Miami Heat after five stellar seasons. The franchise is looking for trade partners to help the superstar join a team that would give him the contract extension he desires. But before that, they did something which came to the attention of the NBPA.
That ‘something’ was the Heat suspending their leading superstar seven games. The franchise took the decision based on the conduct he has shown before, during and after their game against the Indiana Pacers.
Prior to the game, Jimmy Butler did not explicitly say that he wanted a trade out. But after being benched for the entire fourth quarter, his answers were a bit more direct. He stated his love for the game was lost and wants to be somewhere where he could regain it.
The Heat took this as a slight to them and considering how Godfather Pat Riley is, they preferred to keep his negative attitude out of their facilities up until January 15th. In doing that, they will also not be handing over game checks worth $2.35 million. That is where the NBPA stepped in.
NBPA files grievance
The Miami Heat released a statement on Friday announcing the seven-game suspension for ‘conduct detrimental to the team’. A little less than an hour after that, the NBPA took to their X account to announce this.
The 7-game suspension imposed tonight by the Miami Heat on Jimmy Butler is excessive and inappropriate, and we intend to file a grievance challenging the discipline.
NBPA on X
This means the union will file a grievance to help Jimmy Butler recoup the money lost in fines. Such a grievance usually takes around a year and the NBPA have to bring the franchise in question to the table for settlement negotiations.
The 7-game suspension imposed tonight by the Miami Heat on Jimmy Butler is excessive and inappropriate, and we intend to file a grievance challenging the discipline. pic.twitter.com/IhJDVquOwc
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) January 4, 2025
Most recently Ben Simmons with help from the NBPA recouped a lot of the $20 million he lost in fines. The Philadelphia 76ers settled an amount, but again, that took around a year to materialize. If a similar timetable follows, it could be next year when Butler sees some if not most of that amount back.
NBPA’s case for Jimmy Butler
As stated above, the Miami Heat felt Jimmy Butler’s words and actions were detrimental to their organization. That was the grounds on which they suspended him and are looking to get him offloaded after January 15th.
However, the NBPA could argue that the superstar did not explicitly say anything which could have a negative impact on the team. Their argument could be based on the fact that the 35-year-old answered the questions reporters asked him.
Therefore, they could put the point forward that the six-time All-Star did not start the narrative, nor did he say anything to warrant that suspension. However, his post-game words did suggest the star wants to leave.
The grievance would see the NBPA represent Butler and drive the negotiations along with the Heat. Based on how the negotiations go, all parties will decide on the final settlement. However, this grievance or the proceedings will likely have no impact on the suspension.
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