‘Inside the NBA’ has a heated discussion about the drama of Heat star Jimmy Butler’s latest suspension
The sixth season of Jimmy Butler s Miami Heat was turbulent.
That recently suspended the six-time All-Star for the second time in three weeks — a decision that further fueled the belief that Butler had already played his final game for the franchise.
Butler drew the latest suspension for what the team called in a statement Wednesday “a continued pattern of disobeying team rules, unruly conduct and conduct detrimental to the team,” including missing the Heat’s flight to Milwaukee earlier in the day. The Heat should have played Bucks on Thursday, before traveling to New York for a game with the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 25.
During Thursday’s edition of TNT’s long-running show “Inside the NBA,” Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith discussed the drama surrounding Butler.
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Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) leaves the court after the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. (Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images)
O’Neal argued that it’s “human nature” for Butler to want to land with another team given his contract situation.
I just think it’s more about human nature in this situation,” O’Neal noted. “I know exactly how Jimmy feels, I’ve been in this situation many times. Everything I’ve done for you and you don’t want to give me what I want, so human nature kicks in… The part I hate about this basketball thing, it always has to be somebody’s fault.”
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Butler, 34, has one year left on his contract and a $52 million player option for 2025-26. He is eligible for a two-year extension worth $113 million. However, it doesn’t appear the Heat have made Butler such an offer, largely because he’s missed about 25 percent of the team’s games since arriving in 2019.
Despite this, Johnson, Barkley and Smith all expressed views that were contrary to O’Neal’s thoughts.
The TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by CarMax airs live before the game on October 24, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. (Jamie Schwaberow/NBAE via Getty Images)
“You can’t just not show up for work,” Barkley replied.
“You took $50 [million] for this year and next,” Smith added.
While Johnson usually acts as referee when the trio of NBA players engage in heated exchanges on the show, he challenged O’Neal after the four-time NBA player doubled down on his position.
“You feel no responsibility when you are under contract this season to play this season?” Johnson asked.
Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat prepares to shoot a free throw against the Washington Wizards on February 2, 2024 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC (Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images)
Barkley also suggested that Butler owes it to the fans and his teammates to put his feelings about the contract situation aside and do his part to help the Heat win games.
“You can be mad at the Miami Heat organization, but Miami fans and those guys in that locker room have nothing to do with you wanting a contract extension.”
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Butler was suspended for seven games earlier this month, costing him about $2.4 million in salary.
Money may not be the only factor contributing to Butler’s misfortune. Butler has made no secret of his dissatisfaction with what he says is his new role in the Heat’s offense. He didn’t participate in his usual way during the introduction of the Heat starters in a recent game, and at times sat alone during breaks while not participating in huddles.
Butler told the Heat in recent weeks that he wanted a trade, according to multiple reports. The request was not made publicly, because NBA rules don’t let the players do that. The NBA trade deadline is February 6.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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